Computer and Information Processing
...ws: Printed Questionnaires: keyboard, mouse, voice activation devices, optical character recognition scanners, touch screens; Telephone Surveys: keyboard, mouse, voice activation devices, optical character recognition scanners, touch screens; Bank Checks: magnetic ink character recognition (MICR); Retail tags: point-of-sale system; Long documents: keyboard, mouse, voice activation devices, optical character recognition scanners, touch screens. Data Output There are several different types of data output. There are screens which are the most widely used. There are different types of screens, for example, flat panel screens and screen projectors. There are different types of printers. Desktop printers used for low volume requirements, printers that are connected to a network of multiple users are called high volume printers or production printers. Other types of output devices are plotters, voice output devices, sound output devices, terminals (input and output devices). (p 90. 2001). The best output device for the following would be: hand held computer: printers, screen; color photograph: printers, monitor, plotters; resume: desktop printer, monitor; memorandum: printer, monitor and a statistical report and company annual report could include a high volume printer or a desktop printer, monitor. Primary and Secondary Storage “Primary storage stores data and programs currently needed by the computer. Data and programs that are not being processed, but that may be needed in the future, cannot be stored in primary storage because it is volatile. Second storage is nonvolatile and is used to store data and programs that will be needed in the future.” (p. 97 – 103. 2001). Different types of storage devices are optimal for different situations. “Hard disks can store hundreds of gigabytes or even many terabytes of data. The data is stored on the hard disk even when the computer is turned off. A floppy disk is made of plastic with a metallic coating. A floppy disk could be used when you want to take data from computer to another. A floppy disk allows a user to save data to it outside of the computer. RAM which is random access memory means that data in any part of the primary storage can be retrieved in any order. RAM is the main type of primary storage used with computers. CD-Roms are another type of storage that allows a user to save data to by using a CD-R recordable device within the computer. A user can use this data from computer to another. Various types of data can be stored to a CD, including music, MP3, videos, etc. Tapes are used for back up and saving mas...