1. Unit 30 Task 1 Preparation By Prabind Billing

2. Hardware - Graphics Card A Graphics Card in a computer is used to covert video data into electronic signals and sends them to the monitor. The monitor receives the graphics card signals and accepts it to turn them into colourful and clearer images. This process occurs very quickly to adapt videos, games, etc. However, a graphics card do have limits. Despite the fact that it provides some storage for the video processing unit with the RAM and the CPU inside a computer, it will decrease the computer and game performance. This is because of the fact that, the graphics card is running many graphic- intensive tasks or games. A Graphics cards are produced for computers as the users can have access to high quality videos and images.

3. Hardware - Internal Memory (cache, RAM) The Computer Internal Memory, including Random Access Memory (RAM) and cache memory, is used to store the information for all the tasks you have done on your computer. The information includes the active files within each program. It is important that you keep your operating system and programs running in order for the RAM to store all your essential information and files. There is a limit of how much information the RAM or cache,memory can store. Therefore, you will have to add more RAM in your computer to provide more storage which increases the costs. Random Access Memory (RAM) and cache memory are produced for computers in order for the users to store information that they have done on their computer.

4. Hardware - Processor A processor is used in computers to receive input and provide the necessary output. The central processor of a computer, Central Processing Unit (CPU), is used to handle all the basic system instructions. For example, processing mouse and keyboard input and running applications. The limits of a processor, CPU, is that the performance can decrease which means that it is slow as it will take longer to receive the input and provide the necessary output. A processor such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) is produced for computers for users to be able to perform basic instructions such as processing a mouse and keyboard input and running programs.

5. Hardware - CD ROM Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD ROM) is a type of storing data that goes up to 1GB. This capacity allows it to store data including music and video files. The CD ROM has been adapted to store the binary data of the computer. This means that it is used to distribute the computer software that can include games, multimedia application etc. However, the CD ROM has its limits. Once it is filled with data, new data cannot be entered on it.

6. Hardware - Hard drive A hard drive is a storage device that can store many type of data including pictures, movies, documents and applications. Hard drives are disks drives that are usually fixed into computers and laptops. The limits of a hard drive is the size and capacity as its doesn’t provide a lot of storage space. But, it is cheap for the size and capacity. Also, the speed and performance is slow.

7. Hardware - Flash card Flash memory card is used for easy and fast information storage in computers. It is known as a ‘solid state’ storage device because everything is electronic rather than mechanical as there is no moving parts. The limits of a flash card is that it may be affected by electronic corruption and make the entire memory card unreadable. Also, they run out quickly because it doesn’t provide enough storage.

8. Hardware - USB storage devices A USB flash drive is a storage device that stores data. USB storage devices are used for storage as well as to back-up and transfer computer files. USB storage devices has flash memory with an integrated USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. Nevertheless, USB flash drives have limitations. For instance, over a period of time flash drives can become corrupted and unreadable similarly to flash cards. Also, flash drives and other USB storage devices can spread viruses and corrupt computer systems.

9. Input – Graphics tablet A graphics tablet is an input device used by artists to allow them to draw a picture onto a computer screen without having to use a mouse or keyboard. A graphics tablet consists of a flat, touch-sensitive pad and some sort of drawing device, usually a pen. The limits of a graphics tablet is that it is slower than drawing on paper.

10. Input - Mouse A computer mouse is a handheld pointing device used to position a cursor on a monitor. This allows the user to select items stored on a computer and perform actions on those items. The user do this by pressing its button to "click" on files, folders, drives or other storage devices. Once selected, these items can be moved, opened, deleted or copied. The mouse can also be used to select and manipulate information within a given file. A Computer mouse has its limitations. For instance, if the battery wears out in a wireless mouse, it cannot be used until it has been replaced. Also, all computer mice need a flat surface to effectively monitor and manage user movements.

11. Input – Digital camera Digital cameras take images electronically in a way that allows users to edit and share. Digital cameras functions by the digital sensor sending the visual information to a memory card in the camera, where it is stored until it is needed or erased. The limitations of digital cameras are that a hard disk failure can result in photos getting lost because the user didn’t backed them up. Also, a corrupted memory card may result in lost photos. The battery running out means that the user cannot take any more photographs until it is recharged. Moreover, the storage size of the digital cameras aren't big enough as they will soon fill up. Therefore, this leaves the user with the option to of extending their storage space with a hard drive or extra memory card. Increase in storage space costs the user which is not satisfying to them.

12. Input – Scanner A scanner is used for storing digital images and use on computer. Document scanners can covert paper documents to digital formats. However, it has limitations as the user has to keep a high volume scanner running at peak performance. In order to do this, the owner will need to replace the lamps regularly and perform maintenance on the camera and lens as well. This maintenance can be quite costly.

13. Input - Printer The purpose of a printer is to print documents, pictures etc. from a computer or laptop onto paper. The files are stored electronically. The limits of all printers is that it can run out of colour ink. Therefore this forces the owner to purchase more colour ink. Also, printers are quite slow to print and the files are wet which means that it needs time to dry.

14. Output technology – Computer monitor The purpose of a computer monitor is to display text and graphics produced by computer applications. Also, computer monitors is used to provide a visual interface for computer users. Computer monitors works by using Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology to covert information from a computer's graphics card to a visual image by modifying light as it passes through liquid crystals. Computer monitors has its limits. For example, Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors have low refreshing ability known as the flickering effect. This lowers productivity because the user has to wait for some time for the monitor to respond to a command.

15. Output technology – Mobile phone The purpose of mobile phones is to provide unlimited telephone connection in order for the user to contact friends and family by phone calls, text messaging etc. Users can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link while in motion over a large-scale distance. However, mobile phones have limitations. For instance, the users are limited by their provider's service. This means that they cannot use their phone where your provider does not their service. Also, you cannot view the person you’re speaking to.

16. Output technology - Tablets A tablet is a one-piece mobile computer that is operated by touchscreen. Tablets has its limits due to the size of them for portability, it does not come with optical drives for use with CDs and DVDs.

17. Output technology - Plotter A plotter is a device that prints graphical plots, usually connected to a computer. Plotters use pens to be used in the purpose of printing line art. But, plotters have many limitations. Plotters are slow as they take a lot of time to produce a print. The performance and quality are quite poor as they are not able to print photo-quality images.

18. Software – Vector based Vector graphics are consists of paths, which are defined by a start and end point, along with other points, curves, and angles along the way. A path can be a line, a square, a triangle, or a curvy shape. These paths can be used to create simple drawings or complex diagrams. Vector Based software has many limitations. For example, the drawing image containing trapping information can only be scaled up to 20% larger or smaller. Also, thin lines in vector images may disappear if you reduce the size too much. Vector image is time consuming and also specific talent must be needed to create it. Photographs cannot be taken as vector images. It must be drawn by the artist, and must be editing in software like Adobe illustrator. Lastly, the location of each vector, need to be stored separately.

19. Software – Photo manipulation Photo manipulation is the process of changing a photo using a computer software to improve the look, beauty and readability of the image. This helps the users to produce a unique picture. Photo manipulation software offer sophisticated features which makes it difficult for beginners to use as its mainly used for professionals. Also, it is expensive.

20. Software – Image viewers The purpose of Image viewers is to offer image editing features such as crop, rotate, colour balance adjustment, and brightness and contrast controls. Image viewers are slow as the performance are not up to a high standard and the ‘Undo’ tool is limited.

21. Software – File conversion The purpose of a file conversion is to convert documents and images into files in order to be readable as they can be stored or printed. The limitations of file conversion are large file size, impossibility of context search and content reuse.