ESTHER JANGARE

BSCAC
C15125359D
ASSIGNMENT 1
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY

1a) Entering a new customer record into a company database

A Keyboard can be used to enter customer records. This may be

so because a keyboard has got alphabetical letters and numeric
pads. Therefore making it easy to enter customers details such
as name,address,gender,email and phone number. For example
name and email address of a customer can be entered using
alphabetical letters and when entering contacts and age of a
customer numeric pads maybe used. Therefore being an ideal
input device.

b) Transferring hundreds of old records from printed list

A Scanner may be used to transfer hundreds of old records from
printed list. A Scanner is a digital device that converts
documents to digital images. It scans documents which can be
sent to a computer or flash drive. Therefore for scanning old
records from a printed list it is an ideal device as it can convert a
hard copy into a soft copy which can be easily stored in a hard
dive or any storage device and the old records may be
transferred easily.

c) Inputting ISBN book codes at the checkout of a bookstore

A Barcode reader can be used for inputting ISBN book codes. A

Barcode reader is an electronic device for reading printed
barcodes. This input device at the checkout of a book store may
be ideal for accessing data on the purchase of a book which
may also be used for avoiding instances of shop lifting as
unbought books may be identified easily.

d) Processing order forms with multiple check boxes

A mouse can be used to process order forms with multiple check
boxes. This maybe so because a mouse can be used for pointing
and clicking to navigation. The check boxes maybe clicked by a
mouse and then enter the information that may be needed for
example gender and age. Therefore making a mouse to be an
ideal input device.

e) Entering transcripts of oral interviews with customers about

future products and services
An audio recorder can be used to enter transcripts of oral
interviews. A sound recorder as an input device is used for
recording and then entering the audio into a computer through
a USB code or the recording can be saved directly into an
MP3.Therefore as the transcripts are of future products and
services the audio recorder may be useful in recording the
interview and obviously there maybe need to save the interviews
as they may be needed in the future.

2a) Mail Server is a set aside computer responsible for the

incoming and outgoing emails in an organisation.It is placed
between the sender and receiver,therefore it acts as an
intermediary between the two.
(ii)Proxy Server is a security mechanism that is used to prevent
unauthorised compromisation of information in an organisation.
It is an agent that acts on behalf of endpoint without allowing
direct connection between the sender and receiver.
(iii)Modem is a device that modulates signals to encode digital
information and demodulates signals to decode the transmitted
information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be
transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital
data.
(iv) Intranet is a network within an organisation that uses
internet protocol to share information,operational systems or
computing services.
(v) Website is the universe of network accessible information and
the embodiment of human knowledge used to share information.

2b) Describe how Electronic commerce is changing customer

retailing and business to business transaction
E-commerce is changing customer retailing by making available
online shopping Swebsites for retail sales direct to consumers
which reduces expenses of travelling long distances to buy
goods and services .For example if one wants to book an airline
ticket,it is pretty say to do so and it may take only a few minutes

to complete the entire transactions,select the best priced

deal,making an online payment and printing the confirmed
ticket. To add on Ecommerce has made it available to do quick
cash transactions through Ecocash. This has changed customer
retailing as bill payments may be made whilst at home therefore
reducing any unnecessary expenses. Business to business
transactions have been made easy by Ecommerce as buying and
selling has been enhanced through electronic communication
methods that provides standards for exchanging data via any
electronic means. Two different companies in different countries
can electronically exchange documents such as purchase
orders,invoices and shipping notices.Ecommerce has also made
available the global market that is businesses have a wider
choice in terms of raw materials and when considering quality
this may result in quality products and services being made
therefore enhancing the business to business transactions
between a manufacturer and a wholesaler.

c) Describe the security challenges that might threaten a PC

connected to the internet via broadband using an ASDL modem
Malware and virus are security challenges that can threaten a
PC. Malware is any software used to disrupt computer
operation,gather sensitive information or gain access to private
computer systems whilst a virus is specifically a computer code
that replicates itself and infects other programs on a computer.
Therefore these two can corrupt the files in a computer system

and also as these programs are accessed from internet they can
slowdown a machine. To add on hacking may also threaten a PC
connected to the internet via broadband this may be so because
people may hack into ones computer system and steal all
important private information.

d) State the differences between the following terms as used on

the internet
(i) Thread and post
A Thread is a group of messages which typically includes some
back and forth between different people on a given topic whist a
post may refer to either any individual message written by
somebody or only a base message that can be replied to.
(ii) Blog and portal
A Blog is a running commentary on one or more topics whilst a
portal is an aggregator which serves to provide a view of
multiple content sources and types relative to the overall site