Gebhart

Lab log # 8

2008-01-14T09:11:00.000-08:00

The Digital Divide

The gap, caused by students/children that have access to the internet at home and the ones that do not, is called the digital divide. As today's society further advances to being more dependant on computers, those who do not have a computer are left in the dust. Many teachers at school assign homework that can only be completed by using many different resources. Students that have internet can easily pull up these resources at home and complete their homework quickly and with ease. The students that do not have this advantage have to stay after school, or go in a t lunch to use the school computers or books. This can cause an issue as it is cutting into a part of the students time that they would rather not be spending doing homework, while other students can go hang out and then complete their assignment late in the night if need be.

The lack of internet at home also effects the level of in-depthness of the an assignment or project as the student has less time to work on it and therefore rushes through it. This can greatly affect a students learning in comparision to their fellow classmates. Students that have to rush through their work do not have time to absorb the information or comprehend it and instead just hand in their paper hoping that they will get a decent mark. Students that do not use the internet regularily can't efficiently manuever about the web with the same proficiency than the students that do. This causes them to get their assignments done later and not to be as involved as they could be.

Students that do not have readily available usage of the internet do not know many of the dangers they face on the web daily. They do not know about the dangers of clicking into pop-up ads or how to stay clear of sites/offers that are not legitimate. These students will read something and automatically beleive that the information is correct when it could just be any old drivel that someone had posted.

Schools are now starting to make sure that there is an acceptable amount of computers available to the students to work on projects, and have teachers that can explain how to mauever through the sites easier. At LVR for instance they are starting to replace the old out-of-date computer and putting in new ones. They have a library, computer lab, and homework help room that allow students with access to the internet. In the community, the municipal library has computers that can be used for research on any possible subject.

I beleive as a person that uses the internet quite frequently, that it is unfortunate that so many are denied the quick and easy access to so much wonderful resources that are available at just the click of a mouse. It really is amazing to see how much the internet has changed the lifes people live in the past couple years. I think that the communitiy should try to provide more access to computers to further aid these students that are internet deprived. Or that teachers should provide more class time for internet-based porjects so students do not have to rush throught hem as much. I also beleive that people who don't have the internet need to figure out alternate was of getting access to the internet. By either going to a friends, asking a friend, taking the time to stay at school; they could finish their assignments quickly and with a higher degree of excellence if they so choose.

My sources
Myself
Breeanne
mother
bryton

Module B Assignment # 7

2008-01-13T17:31:00.000-08:00

The subject/sentence that I chose to research was: How do chlorofluorocarbons effect the stratosphere.

1- Google

Google found 190, 000 hits in the time period of 0.27 seconds for this search. It quickly identified the key terms and used them to find the sites best suited for my search. Google indexes it's searches in a library list format. Webpages that have the most of the important terms stated in your search appear closer to the top of your results page list. The webpages that have little or no relevance on the otherhand are placed further down the list, usually several pages from the first. Google rates it pages by putting the pages that contain the precise sentence you wrote down or words that you searched, or the pages that contains the biggest number of words of which you searched. Many pages appear on the list due to what is known as word hits. This meaning that the word(s) you searched are randomly being found on these sites. Another reason that irrelevant sites will appear near the top of you results list is because they are sponsored. This means that the site owner has paid google to have their site appear near the top of your search, even if your search has nothing to do with the site. For some searches, links appear at the top of the page boxed in yellow. These are known as sponsored links and the only thing they do is get in the way of your search. These "sponsored links have little to do with your search and generally involve buying their product.

2- AllTheWeb

A total of 328,000 hits in a short time period appeared for this search. It quickly identified the key terms and used them to find the sites that it beleived were best suited for my search. Many of the sites shown on the page had little to do with the actual concept I was researching. Despite this the AllTheWeb has good features. The search engine allows you to specify your search to certain areas, such as audio, video, and image. This allows for a more accurate results on your search. Its indexing is done the same way as Google does, in the library list format. In comparison AllTheWeb has a site that looks more professional, and newer than that of Google's home page. The pages that appeared near the top of the page had very less relevance to the search than that of the sites pulled up on Google. The advertising on the page goes straight to the page ahead. A site owner dcan pay for their page to be at the "top of the list".

3- Yahoo

Yahoo found 337, 000 hots in a time period of 0.36 secs. While typing in my search into the search box it provided several similar searches that had been recently been searched on the same subject. This I think is a useful feature because if you are doing a research project it would help you to find the best pages. Yahoo also indexes it's searches in a library search format. The site finds the best possible match for your search putting the sites with either the exact statement you searched or the most word hits. It then places these more relevant sites ate the top of the page for easier access. Yahoo filters out alot of the pages that have little importance to the search. The short blurb that comes with the site's link is helpful and tells you exactly what you can expect to find on the page. Unlike Google, Yahoo does its advertising differently. The difference is that instead of the ads being placed at the top of the page, the sponsors are placed in a column that runs the length of the right side of the screen. This allows you to do your search with out them being immediately in the way.

Google, which is one of the most used search engines known, ended up showing the least amount of hits. Despite being helpful, it wasn't as helpful as the yahoo search engine. The yahoo search engine came up with a significantly bigger number of hits than Google and it filtered out the less relevant sites so as to avoid frusteration by going to those such sites. Yahoo overall was more reliable, fast, convienient and had the most amount of hits.

I think that Yahoo was the best choice as it provided quick, reliable service and helped me to find the information that I needed instead of sites with little relevance. The filter feature was definetly very helpful.

Lab Log # 7

2008-01-08T13:58:00.000-08:00

LEO' s or Low Earth orbiting satellites can often be found in satellite consellations. One of these such satellites covers a very small area, and cover higher angular velocities so as to maintain its orbit. Since the area that is being covered by these LEO satellites is small many are needed to maintain continuous coverage. These such satellites are deployed into satellite constellations. An example of this kind of constellation that a LEO often travels in is a GPS. These GPS's allow people to find their way from one point to another when driving, hiking, or boating somewhere new and don't know the turrain.

MEO's or Medium Earth Orbiting satellites ornit in the area between 100 and 1000 miles above the Earth's surface. These satellites are farther away from the earth than a LEO satellite, but still lower than a GEO satellite. Unlike the LEO satellites quick orbits, the MEO satellite can take any where from 2 to 12 hours to complete its orbit around the Earth. The speed and altitude remain constant throughout its orbit, as its orbit ensures that by being a perfect circle.
Earth based transmitters that have low frequencies are able to reach these satellites. Using several MEO satellites it is possible to have global wireless communication. In comparision to the LEO satellites coverage, it would take seven LEO satellites to cover the distance that one MEO satellite can cover. An example of something that uses the MEO satellites are cellular phones, as they provide communication on a global scale.

GEO's or Geosynchronour Earth Orbiting satellites are the satellites that pass points on the Earht constantly on a regular basis. A GEO satellite that is found over the equator is known as a geostationary satellite. GEO satellites are generally stationed over parts of the equator, for transmitting and receiving of antennas on Earth that will work without tracking satellites. One example of an antenna that a GEO is responsible for revolving are ones that involve weather forecasting, global communication, and television broadcasting. Though GEO satellites are useful they also have their faults. Due to the huge distance that the GEO satellites are away from the Earth, radio signals take a quarter of a second to reach the satellite and return to the Earth. These radio signals could possibly interfer with the Earth's telecommunication, thus making it harder for people to communicate with one another.

Module B Assignment # 6

2007-12-11T14:07:00.000-08:00

WLANs

Wireless Local Area Networks and Security

Possible Problems

1) In vendor products the sercurity features are frequently not enabled.

2) Authentication is not enabled instead only simple SSID indentification occurs.

3) Cryptographic keys are short.

4) Cryptographic keys are not updated automatically and therefore not frequently.

Solutions to Above Problems

1- When security features are shipped they are not always enabled. Therefore all that is required to fix this problem is by enabling the security features or buy a better security system.

2- By setting up user accounts with passwords, so there is only the specified users that can access the network.

3- By having a larger key it lowers the chance of a brute-force attack. Generally keys should be 80 bits in length.

4- By changing your keys frequently it lowers the chance of being subject to a brute-force attack.

Bibliography

http://www.networkdictionary.com/wireless/WLANSecurity.php

http://www.webopedia.com

http://en.wikipedia.org

Lab Log # 5

2007-12-10T14:10:00.000-08:00

Part A:
IP address . . . . . . . . . . . . . : 146.26.70.180
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.254.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 142.26.70.1

IP address: location of a computer on a network in relativity to the network and the rest of the world.

Subnet Mask: location of the computer on a network

Default Gateway: a node (aka a router) on a computer network that serves as an access point to another network

Part B:

Interface: 142.26.70.180 on Interface 0x1000002
Internet Address Physical Address Type
142.26.70.2 00-14-22-75-ed-Oc dynamic
142.26.70.142 00-90-27-ac-30-fa dynamic

Internet Address: refer to the above definition of Ip address

Interface: a point of interconnection between a terminal and a network or between two networks

Physical Address: Also known as a real address or a binary address. It is the memory address that is electronically presented on the computer address bus circuitry in order to enable the data bus to access a particular storage cell of main memory.

Dynamic Type: A system that defines how a programming language classifies values and expressions into types. This is how it can manipulate those types and how they interact. A type indicates a set of values that have the same sort of generic meaning or intended purpose.

Bibliography:
http://en.wikipedia.wiki/Interface
http://en.wikipedia.wiki/Type_system
http://en.wikipedia.wiki/Physical_address

Assignment 5B

2007-12-07T08:53:00.000-08:00

1. IEEE: Also known as the Institute of Electrical and Elcectronics Engineers. It is an international non-profit, professional organization that works on the advancement of technology related to electricity.

2. IEEE 802.3: Several IEEE standards that define the physical layer, as well as the media access control (MAC) sublayerof the data link layer, of wired Ethernet. Various types of copper or fiber cable make physical connections between nodes and/or infrastructure devices such as hubs, switches and routers.

3. Ethernet: It defines several wiring and signaling standards for the physical layer,though network access at the Media Acess Control(MAC)/Dataa Link Layer, and a common addressing format. It has a series of frame-based computer networking technologies for local area networks (LANs).

4. Star Topology: Consists of one central switch, hub or computer, that transmits messages to the other parts o the network. It is one of the most common co puter network topologies.

5. Hub: A device for connecting many twisted pair or fiber optic Ethernet devices together. This making them act as a sigle segment. These such hubs work at the physical layer of the OSI model. They are also responsible for forwarding a jam signal to all ports if it detects a collision.

6. Proxy Server: A porxy server is a server, in computer networks, which serves the requests of its clients by forwarding requests to other servers. The proxy server connects to a specifieed server and requests the service needed on behalf of the client.

7. Collision: in networking, it is when more than one computers or networking devices attempt to send data at the same time to one computer, server or other network device.

8.Firewall: It is a system that protects networks from unauthorized users and viruses, and can be used in hardware and/or software. Firewall can also control the amount of datat that leaves a network.

9. Protocol: It enables/controls the connection, communication and data transfer between two computing systems. It can also be referred to as a set of rules for communication. It can be used for both software and hardware, or both togethe. A protocol defines the behavior of a hardware connection.

10. Broadcast Domain: It is a logical network segment which in any devices connected to a netwrok can transmit directly to any other on the domain without having to go through a routing device. This is provided that they share the same subnet address and are in the same VLAN, default or installed.

11. Intranet: A private computer network that uses Internet protocols, and network connectivity to securelt share part of an organization 's information or operations with its fellow members. The term sometimes only refers to the most visible part of the service, the intranet website.

12. NIC: Stands for netwrok interface card. It is a piece of computer hardware that is designed to allow computers to communicate over a computer network. It is a device that works on the physical layer and the data link layer. This is due to the fact that it provides physical access to a netwroking medium and provides a low-level addressing system through the use of MAC addresses. It allows uses to conect to each other weither by using cables or wirelessly.

13.Router: It is a device that extracts a packet's destination that it receies, and then selects the best path for it to get to that destination. Therefore it forwards the data packets to the next device along this best chosen path. They are used to connect networks together so as to be able to connect to the internet.

14. Router: It is a device that attaches to the end-points of a bus network or daisy chain. It's purpose is to absorb signals so that they do not reflect back down the line. Ethernet netwroks and SCSI chains are some examples of things that require a terminator.

15. Plenum Cable: They are placed in the plenum spaces of a building. It is astiffer and stronger cable than a network cable.

16. Block coding: It is a type of channel coding that adds to a message so that the receiver can decode it with a minimual amount of error.

17.Plenum:It is the space in a bulding that is used for heating, ventillating, or airconditioning equiptment. This space is also where plenum cables are placed.

18. MAC Address: In computing networking it is a quasi-unique identifier attached to most network adapters (NIC). it is a number that acts as name for a particular network adapter.

19. Bridge: Filters data at a network boundary. It connects multiple network segments at the data link layer. Bridges are like repeaters or network hubs, as they connect network segments at the physical layer. Te difference between these devices is that the bridge manages data rather than just rebroadcast it.

20. Point To Point Technology: When information is transferred from one point to another.

21.Late Collision: A type of collision that occurs in CSMA/CD protocol standard. If the collision error happens after the initial 512 bits of data are transmitted, then the collicion is considered to be a late collision. More importantly, late collisions are not re-sent by the NIC, but instead left for the upper layers of the upper layers of the protocol stack to determine that the there was a loss of data.

22. MAU (Multiple Access Unit): is a device that attaches multiple network stations in a satar topology in a token ring network. It is internally wired to conect the stations into a logical ring.

23. Full Duplex Operation: Allows data to be sent both directions simultaneously in a connection between two devices. Full-duplex channels can be constructed either as a pair of simplex links or using one channel designed to permit bidirectional simultaneous transmissions. This sort of connection can only connect two devices, so many of these links are needed if multiple devices are attached together.

24. Half-Duplex Operation: Is capable of sending information in both directions between two nodes, but only one direction or the other can be utilized at a time. Any device in a conventional Ethernet networks, any device can transmit, but only one may dp so at a time.

25. Baud: It is a measure of the symbol rate, thenumber of distinct symbol changes made to the transmission medium per second in a digitally modulated signal.

26. Bit Rate: The number of bits that are processed or conveyed in a unit of time. It can be related to netwrokiung through the speed of the network , and how many bits are processed per second.

27. Link Integrity Test: MAUs continously monitor the receive data path for activity as a means of checking that the link is working properly. When the network is idle, the MAUs also send a link test signal to one another to verify link integrity. There are link lights at each end that are lit. This is important as it shows that there is a properly wired signal path between both devices.

28. 10Base (Generic): The most commonly used number system.Each number has a base of 10. It is also known as the decimal numeral system.

29. 100Base (generic): It is when a fast ethernet is going at 100Mbits/s.

30. LLC (library link code): It is the codes that a library puts on its website for people to have easier access to other links quickly.

31. AUI: Also known as an Attachment Unit Interface. It is a 15 pin connection that provides a path between a node's Ethernet interface and the MAU, alos known as a transceiver.

32. Packet: Discreet blocks of data. Data is seperated into these 'packets' so that instead of all the data that is being tranfered being corrupted and having to resend all the data again. Instead the packet that was corrupted or misplaced can be resent.

33. Bandwidth: It is the difference between the upper and lowercutoff frequencies of filters, a communication channel, ora signal spectrum, for a few examples. It is typically measured in hertz. Digital bandwidth refers to the data transfer rate measured in bits/s.

34. Repeater: Is an electronic device that receives a signal and retransmits it at a higher level or a higher power. It can also be retransmitted onto the other side of an obstruction, so that the signal can cover a longer distance without degradation.

35. Octet: A group of eight bits, often referred to as a byte. They are often used in networks.

36. Port: In the TCP and UDP protocols is a special number that is present in the header of a data packet. They are mainly used to mapdata to a particular process running o a computer.

37. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): Is one of the core protocols of the Internet protocol suite. TCP gives reliable. in-order delivery of a stream of bytes, making it suitable for applications like file transfer and e-mail.

38. Internet Protocol (IP): It is a data-oriented protocol used for communicating data across a packet-switched internetwork. IP is a network layer protocol that can be found in the Internet protocol suite and is encapsulated in a data link layer protocol. IP provides the service oc communicable unique global addressing amongst computers.

39. File Transfer Protocol (FTP): It is used to transfer to transfer data from one computer to another through a network or over the internet. It is most commonly used protocol for exchanging files over netwoks that support the TCP/IP protocol. In this tranfer there is two computers the server and the client. The server listens on the network for connection requests from other computers. The client computerindicates a connection to the server. Once they are connected the client can do many file manipulation operations such as uploading and downloading files.

40. Logical address: It is a logical address which a memory location appears to reside from the perspective of an executing application program.

41. Domain Name Service (DNS): It is associated with various kinds of information with si-called domain names; but more importantly it serves as a phone book for the Internet by translating human-readable host names into IP addresses, that networking equiptment needs to deliver information. This system is an essential component of contemporary Internet use.

Bibliography

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

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

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet_hub

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Protocol http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intranet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_collision http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC_address

http://en.wikipedia/wiki/network_bridge

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logical_address http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_card

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plenum_cable

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protocol_(computing)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxy_server http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repeater

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star _network

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

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

http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/c/collisio.htm

http://www.intel.com/products/glossary/body.htm

http://www.ethermanage.com/ethernet/10quickref/ch5qr_6.html

http://www.tcpipguide.com/free/t_SimplexFullDuplexandHalfDuplexOperation.htm

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/T/terminator.html

Module B - Assignment 4

2007-11-23T09:32:00.000-08:00

OSI is a model that defines a networking framework for implementing protocols in seven layers. Control is passed from layer to layer starting at the application layer (layer 7) and working its way down to the physical layer (layer 1). Then going to the next station over the channel and back up the layers.

The initial layer is the seventh layer, which is known as the application layer. This layer supports application and end-user processes. Everything at this layer is application-specific. The communication partners, any constraits on data syntax, as well as the quality of service are identified. While the user authentication and privacy are considered. Provided by htis layer are application services for file transfers, e-mail, as well as other software services. Some applications that entirely exist on this layer are Telnet and FTP. Also tierd application architectures are part of this layer.

The next layer is the sixth layer, which is known as the presentation layer. Less frequently it is also known as the syntax layer. Provided by this layer is the independence from differences in data representation. An example of thjis is encryption. This occurs by translating from network to application format, and vice versa. This layer works to transform data into a form that will be accepted by the apllication layer. This layer formats as well as encrypts data so that it can be sent across a network. This providing freedom from compatibility problems.

The fixth layer is known as the session layer. It establishes, manages and terminates connections between applications. Also it sets up, terminates and coordinates exchanges, conversations and dialogues between the applications at each end. This layer deals with the coordination of sessions and connections.

The fourth layer is known as the transport layer. It provides the transparent tranferring of data between end systems (or hosts), and is also responsible for end-to-end error recovery and flow control. This layer primary function is to ensure the complete transfer of data.

The third layer is known as the network layer. It provides switching and routing technologies, creating logical paths. These paths are known as virtual circuits, and are used for transmitting data from node to node. Functions of this layer include routing and forwarding as well as addressing, internetworking, congestion control, error handling, and packet sequencing.

The second layer is known as the data link layer. This layer encodes and decodeds data packets into bits. This llayer is divided into two sublayers: the Media Access Control (MAC) layer and the Logical Link Control (LLC) layer. How a computer on the network gains access to the data and obtaining permission to transmit it is controlled by thre MAC sublayer. The LLC layer, on the other hand, controls frame synchronization, flow control and error checking.

The final layer is the first layer which is physical layer. It is responsible for conveying the bit stream (electrical impulse, light or radio signal) through the network at the electrical and mechanical level. Provided by it is also the hardware means of sending and receiving data on a carrier. This including defining cables, cards as well as physical aspects. Protocols of this layer's components include Fast Ethernet, RS232 and ATM.

The relevance of the ethernet to OSI is as follows, it defines a number of wiring and signalling standards for the physical layer (the first layer). This occurs through means of network access at the sublayer MAC/Data Link layer (the second layer) and also through a common addressing format.

Bibliography

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Systems_Interconnection
http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/OSI_Layers.asp

Module B Assignment 2

2007-11-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

Topic # 1

Part A:

- Police Radio Jammer: Blocks radar gun readings, and accidentally blocks wireless signals. It is not permanent because you can move it around.

- Signal Jammer: Hospitals use them so they don't mess up any chemotherapy by having someone's cell phone go off. They're like... permanent fixtures.

- Concrete Blocks: Due to its thickness it blocks signals, used for building concrete walls, like the walls found in schools or in basements.

- Microwaves: the particles emitted by a microwave while it is in the process of cooking/thawing food can cause signals to be lost...

Part B

-Signal Jammer: To avoid EMI from a signal jammer simply move away from the unit.

-Police Radio Jammer: By turning a radio jammer off, you avoid EMI. By doing so you also risk getting caught by the police for speeding.

-Concrete Blocks: To avoid the EMI from concrete blocks, you have to either re-build the wall using a materail that won't emit EMI or by a signal booster.

-Microwave: To avoid EMI from micowaves you must make sure that the router isn't near the microwave, or between your computer and the router if you use a wireless connection.

Lab Log # 4

2007-10-30T14:01:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-23T08:55:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

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.

Assignment # 4

2007-09-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

Part 1:

-'Blue Screen of Death' means there might be a problem with your RAM
-Turn on computer and nothing happens
-The computer comes on, but nothing appears on your monitor.
-Computer can't find C: Drive , your computer might have a bad hard drive.
-Older games won't run on newer versions of Windows.
-Mouse has trouble moving to the left.
-Setup can't find a CD-ROM.
-The task bar has dissapeared.
-Keyboard beeps when you attempt to type.
-The system sends you messages that say your too short on memory.

Part 2:
VIRUS ALERT!!!
insert jump drive into usb port
copy all necessary files to jump drive
install fresh copy of operating system
copy files from jump drive to PC

Assignment # 3

2007-09-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

The theory of electricity: a general term referring to a variety if phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge.
Conductor: any material that easily permits the flow of electric current.
Insulator: an object that supports or separates electrical conductors without passing current through itself.
Voltage: the difference of electrical potential between two points of an electrical / electronic circuit.

The two voltages most commonly used by computer components are 120V and 230V.

Current: the flow (movement) of electric charge.
1-10-100 Rule: the cost to fix a defect increases exponentially the later it is identified.

You can calculate the amount of current running through a current by either using an ammeter or using the formula
I=V/R (Current = voltage/ resistance)

AC and DC: Alternating current (AC) is an electrical current whose magnitude and direction vary, while direct current (DC) stays constant.
Electric Power: the rate at which electrical energy is transferred.
Resistance: a measure of the degree of which an object opposes an electric current through it.
Impedance: like resistance except it occurs with alternating current.

Human Body's Resistance Capability is 0.1 A before it becomes fatal.

5 Safety Precautions You Can Take To Avoid Electric Shock: Make sure equipment is turned off
before moving, make sure equipment is well grounded, make sure tools are well insulated, make sure all electrical equipment covers are secured when your not working with it, and make sure you’re well grounded.

Static Electricity: is the build-up of electrons on an object. It is dangerous to humans as enough of it can cause a heart attack, while computers can be wiped by a static jump.

To avoid static build-up you should don’t wear wool, don’t drag your feet while walking on carpet, don’t wear rubber shoes, use dryer sheets, and keep the air in your house humid.

To avoid static discharge you should keep hands well moisturised, wear leather shoes, tap metal surfaces with knuckles versus using your fingers, wear a metal thimble (keeping it contact with your skin at all times), and/or carry a coin to touch metal surfaces with first.

Two things that are found in the ESD- prevention kit are a grounding wire strap and a rubber mat.

The job of the PC power supply is to convert AC power into DC power sop the computer can use it.

Specific Power Supply Requirements
For a motherboard: 240V-300V
For memory chips: use 5-10 watts
For a CPU: 45 watts
For a hard drive: 1 amp of 12 Volts
For a CD-ROM drive: 360 watts
For a floppy drive: 10-20 watts

The motherboard is the component that the power light goes on when it gets power. Without this the computer couldn’t run.

Molex connectors supply power to hard drive, Berg connectors supply power to floppy disk drives, and an ATA power connector connects power from the power supply to the serial connectors in the computer.

Bibliography

http://blog.softwareprojects.org/the-110100-rule-6.html
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/power-supply.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternating_current
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conductor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_resistance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_current
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_power
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulator
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A6378744
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00367.htm
http://www.ptub.com/content /et/14086/css/14086_35.htm

Assignment # 2

2007-09-13T19:38:00.000-07:00

Central Processing Unit (CPU): in a digital computer it is the component that is capable of executing a program.
Memory Module Format (SIMM or DIMM): a small circuit board that holds memory chips. SIMM means a single in-line memory module, while DIMM is a dual in-line memory module.
Motherboard: the central or primary circuit board that makes up a complex electronic system
Random Access Memory (RAM): a type of data storage used in computers

Data Storage Devices:

Hard Disk Drive (HDD): a non-volatile storage device which stores encoded data on rapidly rotating platters that have magnetic surfaces.
CD/DVD Drive: a drive that reads CD-ROMs, which are compact disks, used for storage.
Floppy Disk Drive: another kind of data storage device, which comes encased in a hard rectangular case.

Devices:

Heat Sink: absorbs and dissipates heat from another object through thermal contact.
Expansion Bus : a collection of wires, which allow a computer to expand
Expansion Card: a printed circuit board that can be inserted into the computer’s motherboard in the expansion slot.Video Card: generates and outputs images to a display.
Power Supply and Adapter: a power supply is the source of energy, and an adapter is a device which matches different physical or electrical characteristics of two different things to make a connection between them.

Essential Peripherals:

Monitor: displays images generated by the computer
Keyboard: peripheral partial modeled after the typewriter keyboard.
Mouse: a pointing device that detects a two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface.
Printer (laser): a device that rapidly produces high quality text and graphics on plain paper.
Speakers: externally equipped to a computer, it has a low-power internal amplifier.
Microphone:

Assignment #1

2007-09-11T09:41:00.000-07:00

Timeline of the Computer - Assignment # 1
1936 Invented in 1936, the Z1 computer was the first freely programmable computer. Konrad Zuse, a German engineer, was the person who invented it. In the same year the Dvorak keyboard was developed.
1939 Several years later, in 1939, Professor John Vincent Atanasoff and Clifford Berry (a graduate student) began work on the ABC (Atansoff- Berry Computer).In the year 1939, Hewlett-Packard formed. Their initial product, the HP 200A Oscillator, was a quickly popular piece of equipment for many (especially engineers
1941 Konrad Zuse completes the Z3 computer in 1941. In the same year the first Bombe was finished. The Bombe was a way of decrypting military communications of the Nazis. . Many Bombes were built, which greatly improved the Allied forces intelligence gathering and processing. During this time the ENIAC’s development was started also.
1942 After three years the ABC is finally completed. Despite the three years of work put into the ABC it was never fully-functional
1943 Many military computer programs were started in 1943. One such program was The Relay Interpolator (later called the Bells Labs Model II). This one was completed during this year to help test the M-9 Gun Director by Bells Labs. Another such military project at this time was Project Whirlwind. It was an idea to build a flight simulator to train bomber crews. After finding the initial computer to be inaccurate and inflexible they decided on building a new digital computer.
1944 The first Colossus was operational in 1944, despite not being presented to the public until the 1970s. It was designed to break complex ciphers used by the Nazis by the British engineer Tommy Flowers. The machine allowed the ciphers to be broken in hours instead of weeks.
1945 In 1945, the "First Draft of a Report on the EDVAC" was written by John von Neumann. In the document he outlined the architecture of a stored-program computer. Eliminating the need for more clumsy methods, this significantly changed the development of mainstream computers.
1946 After three years of hard work by John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert the ENIAC for finally completed. Compared to its contemporaries it had 1000 times the speed.
1949 The first practical stored-program computer emerged. It was known as the EDSAC and was put together by Maurice Wilkes at Cambridge University. Also completed in this year was the Manchester Mark I computer.
1950 The first commercially produced computer was brought to the public. It was called the ERA 1101, built by the Engineering Research Associates of Minneapolis. The National Bureau of Standards constructed both the SEAC and the SWAC. The SEAC is important to computer because it was the first computer to use all-diode logic. This logic eliminated more clumsy methods such as vacuum tubes.
1951 England’s produced their first commercial computer, the LEO( Lyons Electronic Office). This solved many cleric problems, and Lyons soon went into business manufacturing computers for the increasing number of demands for data processing systems. The UNIVAC I became the first commercial computer to gain widespread attention from the public.
1953 The 701, IBM’s first electronic computer was shipped.
1954 The first mass-produces computer was the IBM 650 magnetic drum calculator.
1956 The first general purpose, programmable computer was built by MIT researchers and was known as the TX-0.
1958 Linking hundreds or radar stations across North America, SAGE was one of the first large-scale computer communications network. Japan produced its country’s first electronic computer, the NEAC.
1959 IBM’s first transistorized computers came out in the 7000 series. These were top of the line computers and as such were significantly faster and more dependable.
1960 The PDP-1 emerged as the precursor to the minicomputer. It didn’t need air conditioning and only needed one operator.
1961 IBM introduced the 1400 series, these computers had the vacuum tube replaced by more smaller and more reliable transistors. It also used a magnetic core memory.
1962 The first real time laboratory data processing was offered by the LINC9 Laboratory Instrumentation Computer).
1964 IBM introduced family of six mutually compatible computers that could work together. This was known as the System/360. CDC introduced the 6600 supercomputer. Its processing speed was three times faster than its competition.
1965 The first commercially successful minicomputer was introduced by the Digital Equipment Corp. , and was known as the PDP-8.
1966 The ILLIAC IV achieved a computing speed of 200 million operations per second. The Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency had been assigned with the job of designing and building it. Hewlett-Packard started a general-purpose computer business, when it introduced the HP-2115. It had a computing power that had previously only been found in much larger computers.
1968 The Data General Corp. introduced the Nova. Making its debut orbiting the Earth on the Apollo 7 was the Apollo Guidance Computer. In 1969 the same computer system steered the Apollo 11 to the moons surface.
1971 The first personal computer, the Kenbak-1, went on sale.
1972 Hewlett-Packard introduced the HP-35 which was said to be "a fast, extremely accurate electronic slide rule".
1973 A microprocessor, the Micral, was the earliest commercial, non-kit personal computer.
1974 The Alto became the first computer to have a work station with a built-in mouse for input. AS well it had menus and icons, and could run several files at the same time. The 8H computer was the first computer advertized commercially in the U.S.
1975 The first implementation of a memory-mapped alphanumeric video display for personal computers came in the VDM prototype. This visual display module allowed games to be played on personal computers. The first fault tolerant computer, the Tandem-16, was produced by Tandem.
1976 The fastest computer to this date was the Cray I, reducing the length of wires and time signals travelling through them. It is now known as the first commercially successful vector processor.
1977 The instant success of the Apple II when it was released in 1977 could’ve been attributed to its printed circuit motherboard, keyboard, cassette tape with computer games or one of the many other special additions that came with it.
1978 The VAX 11/780 from DEC, provided hundreds times more capacity of most minicomputers of the age.
1979 Atari introduced their Model 800 and 400 Computers. These were developed as both gaming computers as well as home computers.
1981 IBM produced its PC, causing a fast growth of the personal computer market. The first portable computer was completed by Adam Osbourne and was known as the Osbourne I.
1982 The Cray XMP doubled the operating speed of competing computers. The Commodore 64 was extremely popular and is considered the greatest selling single computer model of all time.
1983 The Lisa was produced , which was the first personal computer to have graphical user interface. It high price eventually led to its failure. The first PC clone was introduced by Compaq Computer Corp. Compaq recorded record sales for a single year for an American business.
1984 The first successful mouse-driven computer was produced. This was the Apple Computer, and though it had features similar to the Lisa, it was more affordable.
1985 The Amiga 1000 featured audio and video capabilities far beyond those of most personal computers.
1987 The PS/2 machine was introduced by IBM. This made the 3 1/2–inch floppy disk drive, and also video graphics a standard for IBM computers.
1988 Steve Jobs revealed the NeXt and it was a failure due to its slowness. Even though it was considered a failure, it was also considered an important innovation. This was because of the fact that it was the first personal computer to have a drive for optical storage disk, as well as voice recognition and object-oriented languages.
1989 The first pen-based computer was introduced. GRiD Systems Corporation produced this in 1989.
1990 A completely new version of Windows came out from Microsoft. This was the Windows 3.0.
1991 On August 6, 1991 the World Wide Web was launched.
1992 Microsoft produced the Windows 3.1, which was extremely popular.
1993 Over 50 computer companies created Energy Star guidelines. These guidelines aimed to decrease the amount of power used in a PC while it is not being used.
1994 The internet posts its first banner ad on the site Hotwired.com.
1995 Hotmail is created by Jack Smith and Sabeer Bhatia.
1996 Google emerges onto the web.
1997 Bill gates becomes the world’s most richest businessman off of his company Microsoft.
1998 The iMac was introduced by Apple, which makes Apple computer known as a very easy and friendly computer.
1999 Microsoft obtained Access software on April 19th.
2000 The Y2K bug causes mass terror, but luckily there was few problems.
2001 The X-Box was introduced by Bill Gates early in the year.
2002 Ebay acquired PayPal.
2003 The spybot worm infected its first computer in mid-April.
2004 Gmail is introduced by Google.
2005 YouTube is introduced.
2006 The first HD DVD was put into a computer, which was the Toshiba Qosmio 35.
2007 The Iphone was introduced by Apple computers in January.

Bibliography

http://inventors.about.com/library/blcoindex.htm
http://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/?category=cmptr
http://www.computerhope.com/history/19902000.htm

2007-09-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

Lab Log Entry # 1
What I want to get out of this course is a basic understanding of how a computer works and how they communicate with other computers. I have not yet switched into the course but I am considering it as a possibility to fill in my spare. This is because I’d like to understand computers better as in the future computers would become an even more important part of our lives then it is today. I do not know how or if I will have much to contribute to this ‘student driven’ course. I have experience with the internet and Adobe InDesign. I know how to use the Internet efficiently and how to modify and edit pictures, as well as format pages using a computer. I am not too good with all the electrical thingys and how to program things.