The CPU

What is the function of the CPU ?
It is a complete computation engine that is fabricated on a single chip. It controls the fuctions of most electronic products. It accepts the input data and is in charge of executing the action, it is the center of any computer

What was the name of the first CPU ?
Intel 4004

Referring to the graph on page 2 of the article, describe how the speed of the CPU's has changed
Since the Intell 8080 was invented it measured a MIPS of 64, over the years the development of CPU has increased the speed of the CPU. Now the lastest one on the chart dates back to 2004, which is the Pentium 4 'Prescott', it now runs at around 7,000 MIPS. 7,000 more faster than the first one developed.

What does MIPS measure ?
It stands for 'millions of instructions per second', it is a rough measure of the performance of a CPU

Research what is a dual processor, what is multitasking and how do the two work together
Two seperate pysical computer processors. In a dual processor system two processors can be either located on the same motherboard. Multitasking is the simultaneous execution of multiple tasks.
With a dual core processor each core handles incoming data strings simultaneously. Making it quicker, as one can be executing and the other can be accessing the system.

Broadband Research

1.      What is broadband?

Of or using signals over a wide range of frequencies in high-capacity telecommunications, esp. as used for access to the Internet.

2.      Outline the methods of delivery of broadband (wireless, cable, ADSL and fibre)? Identify the speed of each method.

Wireless broadband Internet is a system that can link up to remote areas over great distances for example wifi radio. It travels through a naroow beam with a Yagi Antenna which can operate reliably over a distance of many kms. Speed are usually slower as the network can be less stable, due to interference from other devices and networks, also weather can be a problem. The speed of a wireless broadband dependds on which wifi standard they support, they can offer up to 54 mbp/s

Cable broadband has speeds up to 400mbit/s, but may have reduced speeds and quality if it is a long way from the internet service provider. It uses fibre optic cables to retrieve cable internet to our homes.

ADSL broadband internet provides a digital data trasmission over the wirres of a telephone network. It is a service which is delivered simultaneously with the regualr telephone line. The speed ranges from 128kbit/s upwards

Fibre broadband internet is a high bandwidth low cost network that can handle high volume and high speed information. It uses fibre optical cables delivering ultra-fast broadband, speeds up to 100mbp/s

 3.      Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

Cable broadband needs a special modem to send and receive information, the more people that are sharing the bandwidth the slower the internet will be. You may need a professional to install the modem. Many packages you buy for cable have limits on downloads. The good thing about cable is that is it has a more constant top speed than what wireless gives. Also making phone call is not interfered with the cable.

ADSL broadband enables you to recieve calls while also on the internet. A disadvantage is that it is better when you are closer to the providers central office, the closer you are the faster your connection will be.

Wireless broadband disadvantages are that it is a bibt more difficult to setup, the risk of 'outsiders' accessing your network are enabled. It can also be slower than wired networks as it is less stable, the reception maybe be imparied from large distances, objects between wireless devices and other wireless networks may interfere. Advantages are that you can access this network anywhere within the certain distance, overall it is more convienent.

Fibre broadband's number one disadvantage is the cost to install.

4.      Give examples of broadband providers and identify the costs.

The BigPond Turbo 2GB Liberty, gives you 2gb of data from $9.95

Dodo Unlimited Broadband ADSL2+ gives you unlimited broadband for $39.90 per month

Optus Naked Broadband Plan gives you up to 500GB per moth costing around $79.99

5.      The Federal Government is thinking of rolling out a national broadband network (The NBN). Research the NBN and find out:

a.       what method of delivery it will use
It uses fibre optic cabling, providing broadband speeds up to 100 mbp per second. It will operated on a wholesale-only, open access basis. It will be the first time that retail service providers will be able to access infrastructure that is not owned by one of its competitiors.

b.      the expected speed
The expected speed occording to the nbn.gov.au site is 100 mbp per second

c.       the expected costs
It costs $37 billion to build, Internode's cheapest NBN internet package will cost $59.95 per month with 12 megabit download and 1 megabit upload.  

6.      Do you think Australians should invest in The NBN? Justify your answer.

No, because most people aready use wifi for thier internet connection, what is the point of installing something so expensive when most households use wifi ?

The World of Multimedia

1.      1.Where do you commonly use multimedia in your daily life, list as many examples as you can.

• internet (wifi)
• phone (bluetooth)
• computer
• ipod
• ipad
• tv
• camera
• nintendo wii
• nintendo ds
• cds
• streaming videos
• powerpoint 
• in the car
• at home

2.      2.What multimedia device or service would you find it hardest to be without? Discuss.

the multimedia service i find hardest to live without is wifi. According to WordNet it is wireless local area network: a local area network that uses high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data over distances of a few hundred feet; uses ethernet protocol. We use wifi to connect to the internet. Without wifi it we would need to connect out computers/laptops to cable, which doesnt make it portable. We use wifi to connect to the internet using many other multimedia devices such as phones, ipods etc. Without wifi we wouldnt be able to use the internet without leaving the house.

3.      3.The video on future directions (third video) has already to some extent come true. What multimedia technologies displayed in this video are already commonly used?

• wireless headphones
• voice control
• tvs connected to the internet
• wifi 
• GPS device
• hands-free blouetooth (in car)
• SMS messaging

4.      4.Do you see any advantages/disadvantages to the use of such multimedia technology?

Yes, there are always advantages and disadvantages with new technology. For examples the hands free technology enables the driver to not get distracted by not holding a mobile phone in hand allowing both hands on the steering wheel, but still engaged with the other person on the phone. Less car crashes and accidents on the roads can be prevented with this technology. The concerns with electromagnetic radiation with using wireless headphones may effect brain tissue.