Hardware for data output. Softcopy. Examples.
1) Softcopy
2) Hardcopy
3) Robotic
Softcopy - Output on an unmovable medium, such as a computer screen.
Ex: Display units, Projectors, Speakers
Display or screen - Provides graphical visual output. Each dot, or pixel on the display corresponds to a location in the computer’s primary memory or in the memory on the video adapter – a circuit board inside the computer that supports the display.
Projectors - Allow computer images to be displayed to an entire room. Projectors can be compared on the basis of their brightness, contrast, resolution, and sharpness.
Speaker - A sound controller, also called a sound card, produces an electrical signal that drives one or more speakers. This signal can produce music, special effects, such as the sound of a passing rain or the sound of a voice.
Types of output devices. Hardcopy. Examples.
Output on a medium, such as paper, that can be removed from the computer. Produce output on media that can be removed from a computer and hence can be retained for a long time. The most common hardcopy medium for the computer is paper. And the most common output devices are printers and plotters. They are characterized by the density and resolution.
Printers - Used by most individuals and businesses for the bulk of their output, produce text and graphics on paper without using a pen. Printers include laser, ink jet, matrix, and character impact.
Plotters - Operate by moving a pen or pens over paper, much the way a person writes. Architectural and engineering firms often use plotters rather than printers to produce drawings. The plotters produce high-resolution graphical output. They work on oversized paper and on long rolls of paper.
More Devices: Output onto :
Transparencies
Microfilm
Microfiche
CD-ROM
Slides
Types of output devices. How to choose them?
Types of output devices. Robotic. Examples.
Robotic - Output into devices that physically move in response to signals from a computer
Hardware, servers, blade servers.
Packaging computer hardware - Manufacturers package the components of computers in different ways to meet different needs of markets. One way to characterize computer hardware is by its size: handheld, laptop, desktop.
Other types: Computers to address the needs of an organisational enterprise are classified typically by their power and function
Mainframe Computers - Are the most powerful, typically running many application packages simultaneously and serving hundreds of users.
Midrange Computers - Are less powerful, typically serving a department
Server - No matter what their power, run a single application, such as a database or a Web connection. They may directly serve end users, but are just as likely to serve other computers running more general applications. Mainframes, midrange computers, and even personal computers can be operated as servers.
Blade Servers - Is a computer constructed on a single circuit board that can be mounted on a specially constructed rack of similar servers rather than a computer box. Because of their low energy and space requirements companies use blade servers extensively in their data centers where a single rack may accommodate 200 or more such servers.
Software. Classification by tasks.
Software. Classification by subtasks.
Software. Classification by users.
Horizontal and vertical software. Functions, examples.
Horizontal software crosses industry types to perform functions common in all or most industries.
Vertical software meets application needs within a single industry or industry group
Performs tasks common to a specific industry, such as real estate development, or a function within an industry, such as government contracting for defense contractors and accounting for advertising agencies. Information needs are often very specific to an industry or even a branch of an industry. For ex: managers of continuous manufacturing processes such as chemical production or oil refining, have different information needs and so require different software than managers of discrete manufacturing processes, such as assembly of automobiles or consumer goods. A generic manufacturing package will very likely not satisfy either group. Airline and railroad managers, although both in the transportation industry, have unique information needs and require different software for tracking baggage or ticketing passengers. Prada software is clearly vertical software, as it would be useless in a non-retail environment.