Chapter 6

Data Terminals and Personal Computers

Agenda
Terminals Cluster control units Workstation ergonomics Terminal selection criteria Total cost of ownership of personal computer

Terminal Classification
Definition
Input/output devices Data terminal equipment (DTE) Data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE)

Classification
Teletypewriters Video display terminals (VDTs) Personal computers Industry-oriented transaction terminals Intelligent terminals Specialized terminals

Teletypewriter Terminals
Types
Unbuffered Buffered

Characteristics
Slow speed Mechanical dot matrix printing Hard copy

Video Display Terminals (VDT) - I

Types
Cathode ray tube terminal (CRT) Flat panel displays

Characteristics
Electronic Reliable Buffered High speed Unintelligent - intelligent

Video Display Terminals (VDT) - II

Screen
All-point-addressable (APA) Pixels or pels Line-by-line mode Page or formatted mode Intensifying, blink, or reverse video

Keyboard Alternative input mechanisms

Touch-sensitive Joystick Trackball Mouse

Video Display Terminals (VDT) - III

Selection criteria
Nonglare surface Titled or swiveled mechanism Color or monochrome Image flickfree Size Resolution Programmable Graphics capability

Personal Computers
Types
Microcomputer (portable, laptop, or notebook) Workstation Internet computers

Characteristics
Upload and download (FTP) Terminal emulation program & hardware (DEC VT-, IBM 3270) Graphical user interface (GUI) Multitasking

Virus

Others
Industry-oriented transaction terminals
ATM & point of sale

Remote job entry Facsimile machines

Group I, II, III, III enhanced, super III, IV Security problems (audio cassette recorder)

Specialized terminals
Telephone Optical recognition (bar code reader, optical character recognition (OCR)) Other terminals for counting, weighing, measuring, and reporting results to the computer

Terminals Intelligence
Intelligent terminals: program & storage capability Smart terminals: storage capability Dumb terminals: no or limited storage capability

Cluster Control Units

Characteristics
Program capability Buffers

Functions
Control terminals Code conversion Error checking Share printer Access multiple computers Multiple sessions using hot key

Workstation Ergonomics
Nonglare screen Tilted back 10 to 20 degrees Top of screen is eye level 18 inches from eyes Adjustable chair Movable keyboard Proper lighting

Terminal Selection Criteria

Special or general Hardcopy or video display Types of operators Compatibility with the existing equipment Degree of intelligent Cost Vendor support and service

Total Cost of Ownership

Cost
$6,400 to over $13,000 lifetime Hardware & software cost 20% User operational cost (learning & training) 46% Technical support cost 21% Administrative cost 13%

Control
Centralized management Standardizing hardware and software

Points to Remember
Terminals Cluster control units Workstation ergonomics Terminal selection criteria Total cost of ownership of personal computer

Discussion
Design terminal requirement for a big manufacturing company Design terminal requirement for a big insurance company