Category Archives: 1. Computer Systems

1. Computer Systems, Computing Higher

FAQ: Description of a suitable selection of software to support typical tasks – production of a multimedia catalogue

A multimedia catalogue is a database of products which contain a variety of media, such as sound, graphics and video. You would need:

•Multimedia Authoring Software (or database which allows inclusion of different multimedia elements)

•Video editing software

•Sound editing software

•Graphics editing software

•Word processor or text editor

•CD or DVD writing software

1. Computer Systems, Computing Higher

Description of utility programs – disk editor

I’m not sure who did the copy and paste job from Wikipedia but you should have at least put it in as a note.

A disk editor is a computer program that allows its user to read, edit, and write raw data (at character or hexadecimal,     byte-levels) on disk drives (e.g., hard disks, USB flash disks or removable media such as a floppy disks); as such, they are sometimes called sector editors,since the read/write routines built into the electronics of most disk drives require to read/write data in chunks of sectors (usually 512 bytes). Many disk editors can also be used to edit the contents of a running computer’s memory or a disk image.

1. Computer Systems, Computing Higher

Description of utility programs – virus checker

A virus checker or Anti-Virus Software will scan files and check for traces of a virus and is then able to remove the virus.

Anti-virus software works in two modes: stand-alone and memory resident. In stand-alone mode the software works like any other program. You start it and point it at a file, directory or disk to check the files for viruses.

In memory-resident mode the anti-virus software stays running on your system at all times. Whenever a file is used the software will check it for viruses. As well as checking files, most anti-virus software will also check e-mails and web pages.

1. Computer Systems, Computing Higher

Definition of a utility program

Utility programs, commonly referred to as just “utilities,” are software programs that add functionality to your computer or help your computer perform better. These include antivirus, backup, disk repair, file management, security, and networking programs. Utilities can also be applications such as screensavers, font and icon tools, and desktop enhancements. Some utility programs help keep your computer free from unwanted software such as viruses or spyware, while others add functionality that allows you to customize your desktop and user interface.

By Nathan

1. Computer Systems, Computing Higher

Description and exemplification of the main functions of a single user operating system: resource allocation

The OS allocates resources to other programs such as applications. For example:

  • Scheduler to share processor – batch, foreground/background, timesharing
  • Memory management – e.g. Virtual memory paging, swapping memory contents to hard disc
  • Ensures drivers are given access to hardware devices
  • Mechanisms for accounting; limit enforcement – e.g. no. of pages printed, file space per user etc