Output and Input devices Flashcards
What is an Input Device?
A device that is designed to enter data into a system, this device must be putting data in form a physical format into a digital format. Manual or Direct entry.
Text Input Devices
Usually keyboards or numeric keypads, incredibly efficient method of inputting text into a computer system
Advantages -
Fast accurate input, can be used for gaming and work, Numeric keypads only allow numeric input
Disadvantages -
Not portable, extended use can cause repetitive strain injury, cant be used for people with certain disabilities, new users are very slow at typing.
Position Input Devices
Mouse -
most common form of position input device, allows for fast high precision work, a laser and sensor in the base of the mouse is used to detect when the mouse moves across a surface and the movement is translated on the screen
Tracker Ball -
Some people with limited arm movement find mice difficult or impossible to use, often use a tracker ball, the palm of the hand rests on the device and the ball is rotated by the fingers.
Touchpad-
Many business people or students choose a laptop instead due to portability, but in confined spaces it isn’t practical to use a mouse, touchpads are much more portable and compact but are slow and inaccurate.
Touch Input devices
Touch screens devices are portable and easy to use, easy to break, advantages when combined with GUI they are very easy and intuitive to use with little or no training. Disadvantages, aren’t as accurate as mice, when un use the finger or hand blocks the user’s sight of the screen.
Graphics Tablet - touch sensitive devices that combine the use of a tablet and stylus, they allow the user to draw in the same manner as they would on paper but producing digital art work.
Advantages - Artists can transfer drawing skills to the computer, ‘natural’ feel than a mouse, some tablets hand handwriting recognition so that writing skills can be used instead of keyboard skills
Disadvantages -
Far more expensive than a mouse, takes a while to adapt to looking at a screen whilst drawing
Video and image input devices
Scanners - used to convert hard-copy versions of documents into soft copy versions, especially useful in business where an electronic backup of a signed document is required
Advantages- highly accurate, often include ‘scan-to-email’ functionality so the document can be directly sent
Digital Cameras- is any device used to send data from a computer to another device or user. Most computer data output that is
meant for humans is in the form of audio or video.
Advantages - can be accurately previewed before they are taken and instantly reviewed
Disadvantages - require massive amount of storage space.
Webcams - development of Voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) technology there came a massive drive to put a webcam on the front of every laptop. Webcams allow users to see the faces of the people of who they are chatting to online and allow video bloggers to show their faces at the same time as the content of their videos.
Advantages - allows users to see faces and read the emotions of those who they are chatting to online
Disadvantages -
lower quality than digital cameras
rely on high bandwidth for a steady connection
can be hacked if left connected to the internet so a potential security and privacy threat.
Audio Devices
Most modern laptops, tables and phones have a high quality, in-built microphone and the software built to exploit these devices is improving rapidly. As well as the ability to record sounds and encode them in to a digital format, audio input can be processed in other ways.
Voice to text - an inbuilt voice to text conversation, so as you talk your words are automatically typed up for you
Advantages - Good for those who aren’t good at typing, have a disability, or don’t have any free hands.
Disadvantages - The technology isn’t perfect and struggles to convert in noisy environments and where the user has a strong accent.
Voice Control
Many mobile devices have in-built voice control software that allows the user to issue voice commands to the device.
