Unit 1 ePortfolio Entry - Computer Systems

System Model (IPO)

The IPO model is the Input, Processing, Storage/Memory and Output

subsystems of the computer. The inputs of the computer are what the user uses to do
what they want. Some examples of inputs are the keyboard, mouse, microphone and
there are many more. The processing parts of the computer use the inputs to make
outputs. It gets the work done. Some examples of processing components are the
motherboard, the CPU and other things as well. The storage/memory component keeps
track of the work the user has done and saves it. It stores information in the computer
and it takes frequently used things in the cache. Some examples of storage/memory
components are the hard drive, the compact disk and for really old computers, the
floppy disk drive. The outputs of a computer system shows the work/result that has
been done. The monitor displays visual information or results. Speakers would give you
the sound that yourself and the computer worked for so that you can hear it. This is the
IPO model and the important subsystems within it. Learning this wasn’t as hard as I
thought it would be. The most challenging part was learning how the processing
subsystem. I found it more confusing than the others but when I think of it with simpler
terms and explanations, I get a better gist of it. I use computers everyday and knowing
the IPO model helps me understand how these machines work. Knowing which parts
are most important will help me spend my money on computer parts more usefully in
the future. I think that the IPO model in computers will always be the same forever
because it is so simple and it works well.
 Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the study of how we can make things and products safer for
people to use, easier to use and more comfortable to use. I actually learned a lot about
ergonomics in the short time I was taught it. There were many ways that people used
simple everyday products that could result in health problems. For example, sitting
slouched over on a chair puts strain on your back in it can give you a bad posture for a
long time. This is something I didn’t know and now I am changing the way I sit to use
the computer. That’s why ergonomics was important for me to learn. Now I can avoid
these severe health problems that are caused by the way we use everyday products.
The most challenging thing for me to understand when learning ergonomics was how
the government makes benches for everybody to use in parks and etc. But as explained
in the video, they use averages to determine how they will manufacture these things. In
the future, with new technology and information about ergonomics, I think that less
people will become victim to the dangers of everyday hazards in workplaces and
everywhere. Ergonomics was in my opinion, the most important thing I learned in this
course so far.

PC Hardware Maintenance Lab

 The PC Hardware Maintenance Lab was a very fun learning experience. It was
hands on and literally made us learn through experience. We opened up the case of the
desktop, we took out one of the DIMM cards, we removed the hard drive and the video
card. We also learned the many safety precautions and hazards that we should know
while working with computers. I got to know a bit more about where things are on the
motherboard, what the slots and jacks are at the back of the PC and I get to know the
basics of PC Hardware Maintenance. If I ever need to open up a computer in the future,
at least I know what I should and shouldn’t be doing in order to keep myself and the
hardware safe. The hardest thing about this lab was learning the motherboard and
where things are on it. I found it hard and I still find it hard to recognize the DIMM slots
from the PCIe slots and etc. This could encourage people to try to get hands on with
computers but to know their boundaries as well in the future.

Operating Systems
 The operating system is the most important program or software in a computer. It
handles both the processing and memory subsystems of the computer. Without the
operating system, you can’t do anything with a computer. The operating system also
coordinates between different subsystems to get work done. When you buy a computer,
an operating system is usually already on that computer and that's what most people
will use forever on that computer. There are different operating system types for the
different needs of each user on their computer. If you want to, you can change or
improve your operating system on your computer. Some examples of operating
systems; Microsoft Windows, macOS and Linux. Learning the basics of operating
systems was not difficult. I expect that things will get difficult when I go more in depth on
this topic. If there was anything that was difficult, it probably was just understanding
what exactly the operating system does apart from the basic definition. Learning about
operating systems might help me choose one for my computer(s) in the future.