Week 2 - Session 3. Computer hadware basics

Computer Hardware Basics:

Storage devices, I/O devices and other peripheral devices

Today is a wonderful day, because I have ICT class. I believe that I will get more information than I expected and more than usual. therefore, I hope, I will satisfy my hunger with real knowledge today. So, main objective is to find answers to the following inquiries.

What is input?

An input device is a peripheral used to transfer data from the outside world into a computer system. In other words, it is any machine that feeds data into a computer. 
Examples of input devices are:
Keyboard                   
Mouse
Light pen
Joystick
Scanner
Touch screen
Microphone
Graphic tablet
Magnetic-s


The keyboard:
The set of typewriter-like keys that enables you to enter data into a computer. Computer keyboards are similar to electric-typewriter keyboards but contain additional keys. The keys on computer keyboards are often classified as follows:

alphanumeric keys -- letters and numbers  

special keys -- function keys, control keys, arrow keys caps lock key, and so on. 

Pointing Devices:
A pointing device is an input interface that allows a user to input spatial (i.e., continuous and multi-dimensional) data to a computer. CAD systems and graphical user interfaces(GUI) allow the user to control and provide data to the computer using physical gestures — point, click, and drag — for example, by moving a hand-held mouse across the surface of the physical desktop and activating switches on the mouse. Movements of the pointing device are echoed on the screen by movements of the pointer and other visual changes.



Game controllers:  
A game controller is a device used with games or entertainment systems used to control a playable character or object, or otherwise provide input in a computer game. A controller is typically connected to a game console or computer by means of a wire, cord or nowadays, by means of wireless connection. Controllers which have been classified as game controllers are keyboards, mice, game pads, joysticks, etc. Special purpose devices, such as steering wheels for driving games and light guns for shooting games, are also game controllers. Devices such as mice and keyboards can be emulated with a game pad through the use of programs such as 'JoyToKey'.
The main function of a game controller is to govern the movement/actions of a playable body/object or otherwise influence the events in a video or computer game. The type of controller used in a game depends on the genre of the game being played (i.e. Steering Wheel controllers for driving games, yoke like for flying, etc.).


Digital cameras:
A digital camera (or digicam) is a camerathat takes video or still photographs, or both,digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor. It is the main device used in the field of digital. Most 21st century cameras are digital.

Front and back of Canon PowerShot A95

Digital cameras can do things film cameras cannot: displaying images on a screen immediately after they are recorded, storing thousands of images on a single small memory device, and deleting images to free storage space. The majority, including most compact cameras, can record moving video with sound as well as still photographs. Some can crop and stitch pictures and perform other elementary image editting. Some have a GPS receiver built in, and can produce Geotagged photogaraphs.

Voice recognition device:

Ability of a computer, computer software program, or hardware device to decode the human voice into digitized speech that can be interpreted by the computer or hardware device. Voice recognition is commonly used to operate a device, perform commands, or write without having to operate a keyboard, mouse, or press any buttons. For example, a user could say "open Internet" and the computer would open an Internet browser and allow that user to browse the Internet.

Scanners and reading devices: Scanner and reading devices and the associated software can be of assistance to students who are blind, have visual impairments or specific learning difficulties including dyslexia.
The stand-alone scanner reader takes text and converts it to speech output. Optical character recognition(OCR) software can read pages containing tables or columns and work its way fairly successfully through material at different orientations. OCR may also be used on a computer with a separate scanner.
Some specialist computer programs offer text highlighting, book marking and note-taking features as well as various colours and contrast modes for viewing.
There are also pen scanners - small amounts of text, such as quotes, can be taken from books or journals and downloaded to a computer.

What is output

Output devices are things we use to get information OUT of a computer.
Here are some examples of output devices.

Monitor - A monitor is the screen on which words, numbers, and graphics can be seem.  The monitor is the most common output device.
Compact Disk - Some compact disks can be used to put information on.  This is called burning information to a CD. NOTE:  A CD can also be an input device.
Printer - A printer prints whatever is on the monitor onto paper.  Printers can print words, numbers, or pictures.
Speaker - A speaker gives you sound output from your computer.  Some speakers are built into the computer and some are separate.
Disk Drives - A disk drive is used to record information from the computer onto a floppy disk or CD.
Floppy Disk - A floppy disk is used to record information on.  The information is stored on the floppy disk and can be used later or used on another computer.
Headphones - Headphones give sound output from the computer.  They are similar to speakers, except they are worn on the ears so only one person can hear the output at a time.

What is storage
A computer storage device is any type of hardware that stores data. The most common type of storage device, which nearly all computers have, is a hard drive. The computer's primary hard drive stores the operating system, applications, and files and folders for users of the computer.