The CPU

What is the function of the CPU?

The CPU is a microprocessor which can be called the brain of your computer

What was the name of the first CPU?

the name of the first CPU was - Intell 4004 that was introduced in 1971

 

Referring to the graph on page 2 of the article, describe how the speed of CPU’s has changed.The speed of CPU's has changed dramatically from 2 MHz in 1974 to 3.6 GHz in 2004

 What does MIPS measure?

MIPS measure the 'millions of instructions per second'

Most modern PC’s use what are called dual core processors. It is often stated that such processors improve multitasking. Research what is a dual core processor, what is multitasking and how do the two work together.

Dual core processors are the equivilant of having two CPU's
Multi tasking is when the computer is running tow or more programs at the same time.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-dual-core-processor.htm
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/microprocessor1.htm

Broadband research

What is broadband?
Broadband is signals over a wide range of frequencies in high capacity telecommunications especially used for access to the Internet.

Outline the methods of delivery of broadband (wireless, cable, ADSL and fibre)
Identify the speed of each method.

WIRELESS

100Mbit/s

CABLE

30 Mbps

ADSL

56Kbps

FIBRE OPTIC

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

WIRELESS

Advantages

• Wifi hot spots
• You can take your Internet connection anywhere
• High speed Internet
• No cables that would clutter your workspace
• Cheaper to set up than wired broadband
• Connecting a multiple number of computers to the same router without the computers interfering with each other
• You can also connect phones and ipods to the wireless network

Disadvantages

• Limited availability
• Security issues
• Technical knowledge is needed to operate wireless Internet 
• Other people can 'steal' your Internet if you don't have it properly secured
• The Internet speed gets slower with the further away you are from the router

CABLE

Advantages

• Can make phone calls over the Internet
• You can have deals that let you have cable television and cable Internet

Disadvantages

• Not available in all areas
• Degraded Internet speed
• Decreased security

ADSL

Advantages

• quicker than dial-up
High speed connection
Use of the phone line while connected
Fixed monthly cost
Good value for money
No extra wiring; ADSL uses the existing phone line
Lower pings in online games
No more dropped connections

Disadvantages

Service not available everywhere

ADSL works better when closer to the ISP's central office

Variable speeds depending upon time of the day

Faster download than upload

Line testing takes a long time

Home user is contended at 50:1, meaning that you might be sharing your 512Kbps with 49 other people, giving you 10Kbps.

FIBRE OPTIC

Advantages

• Extra security
• Much faster than other broadband servers
• Phonetic power applications (sending electricity through the fiber optic cables instead of just light wavelengths)
• Extremely high bandwidth
• Resistance to electromagnetic interference
• Early detection of cable damage

Disadvantages

•  Difficult to install
• Wildlife damage
• Broken easily
• Are not available everywhere

Give examples of broadband providers and identify the costs.

Big pond - from $9.95 per month

Optus - from $79.99 per month

Dodo - from $59.80 per month with home phone

The Federal Government is thinking of rolling out a national broadband network (The NBN). Research the NBN and find out:

What method of delivery it will use

The NBN will use fiber optic cables for 93% of premises and the remaining 7% will get fixed wireless or satelite connections.

 the expected speed

100 megabits per second or more for the fibre optic cables
12 megabits per second for the fixed wireless and satellite connections

the expected costs

The expected price for 12 Mbps downstream/ 1 Mbps upstream is to be around $24 per month plus GST.
The expected price for 100 Mbps is around $38 per month plus GST

 Do you think Australians should invest in The NBN? Justify your answer.

I believe that Australians should invest in the NBN. This is because it will create a much faster and much more reliable internet connection which will later be adapted to deliver television or to have a video consultation with your doctor.

  

http://www.ehow.com/list_6531441_disadvantages-cable-broadband-connections.html

http://starlightfibreoptics.com/tag/disadvantages/

http://www.dsl-isp-guide.com/wireless_broadband.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Wireless-Broadband-Advantages-and-Disadvantages&id=4646600

http://go.bigpond.com/wireless/?2473PSEM&s_kwcid=TC|4297|wireless%20broadband||S|b|6938884146

http://www.optus.com.au/store/broadband?tas=sem:broadband&cid=ADTXBAU:BAU:OSC:FBB:SEM:BB:15032010&s_kwcid=TC|17952|internet%20broadband||S|b|7586688314

http://referrer.dodo.com.au/lead/?link_id=2431&stat_id=15669806

http://hubtechinsider.wordpress.com/2009/06/04/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-fiber-optics/

http://homepages.uel.ac.uk/u0113650/DSLBASICS.htm

There will be additional variable charges depending on their size coverage and coustomer base.

The World Of Multimedia

Where do you commonly use multimedia in your daily life, list as many examples as you can.
In class, at home, on the bus.

What multimedia device or service would you find it hardest to be without? Discuss.
The Computer. Without a computer, school researching would become much more difficult, as we would have to venture to the library every time, and it would take much longer to do as much research in a hour with books, rather than the internet. Computers also create many different ways in which we can easily and quickly communicate around the world.

The video on future directions (third video) has already to some extent come true. What multimedia technologies displayed in this video are already commonly used?

Do you see any advantages/disadvantages to the use of such multimedia technology?