Scratch is a programming software designed to make animations, interactive programmes, games etc...
I have a feeling that we are supposed to only use scratch for our assignment but I found another programme called ALICE which is a 3D programming software. I think it would look more professional. But then I think it would be better if i do Scratch because if i get any problems in Alice, Sir might not know the answer.
Oh well, we'll see:)))
P.S. Here is a video on how to use ALICE:
http://www.alice.org/index.php?page=what_is_alice/what_is_alice
go to this page and watch the video named: LeaLearn about the Alice interface and how to start creating your own worlds
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Broadband Research
1. What is broadband?
Broadband is actually a shortened word for broadband Internet access, and is a high data rate Internet access. It is often juxtaposed with Dial up access which is a relatively low rate internet access when compared to broadband.
2. Outline the methods of delivery of broadband (wireless, cable, ADSL and fibre)? Identify the speed of each method.
Satellite: 512 kb/s
Wireless:1Mb/s
ADSL:8 Mb/s
ADSL2: 12 Mb/s
HSDPA: 14.4 Mb/s
ADSL+: 24 Mb/s
Cable: 30 Mb/s
Broadband is actually a shortened word for broadband Internet access, and is a high data rate Internet access. It is often juxtaposed with Dial up access which is a relatively low rate internet access when compared to broadband.
2. Outline the methods of delivery of broadband (wireless, cable, ADSL and fibre)? Identify the speed of each method.
Satellite: 512 kb/s
Wireless:1Mb/s
ADSL:8 Mb/s
ADSL2: 12 Mb/s
HSDPA: 14.4 Mb/s
ADSL+: 24 Mb/s
Cable: 30 Mb/s
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
CPU Research(again)
For some reason my previous post did not appear so i am doing it again.
• A CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the main component of a computer that does most of the processing. It accepts input data, processes the information and sends it to the component that is in charge of executing the action.
• The “interactivity” part of Multimedia connects to CPUs. We interact with CPUs - giving them instructions and they respond to our requests and finish the given task. They also allow us to look at images, animation, videos and texts. In fact, CPUs allow us to create multimedia within the computer. Examples include creating images with paint, making videos through adding images and sounds, writing text in word, recording sounds through microphones, and making animations with programmes such as pencil and inkscape.
• There are different types of processors. The designs include 8bit,12bit, 16bit, 32bit, 64bit, multicore, RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) etc.. There are countless but we can classify them generally as high-end CPUs and low-end CPUs. The two main producers of these chips are Intel and AMD. However the popular and interesting ones are multi core processor and the atom processor. These are the advantages and disadvantages of each:
ADVANTAGES OF MULTI CORE PROCESSOR:
Better responsiveness when multitasking
faster performance in single multithreaded applications
Higher instructions processed per clock cycle
cache coherency is greatly improved
Saves more power
DISADVANTAGES OF MULTI CORE PROCESSOR:
Expensive
Software application support and Operating system support is needed for it to work
“Production yields” decrease and become more difficult to manage.
Architectural perspective: single CPU designs make better use of the silicon surface area than a dual core processor
ADVANTAGES OF AN ATOM PROCESSOR:
Cheap
Uses less energy
Great for web books because it gives them 7-9 hours of battery life
Ideal for basic computing and in netbooks
DISADVANTAGES OF AN ATOM PROCESSOR:
Low performance
“Slow” computer
Cannot play 3Dgames or use softwares such as Photoshop.
• 64 bit processor was a sudden popular one so I decided to evaluate it as well.
• ADVANTAGES:
Some operating systems for 64 bit processors had the capacity to support the previous 32 bit designs as well.
Can certainly make working with large data sets in applications such as digital video, scientific computing, and large databases easier than 32 bits.
Makes multi tasking easier
Reduces clustering for high performance computing
Allows to address more RAM
• DISADVANTAGES
• http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=368607
A possible depletion in performance due to the larger memory address taking up twice as much room in the cache.
Hardware and software compatibility
• A CPU has four primary functions: FETCH, DECODE, EXECUTE, and WRITEBACK.
FETCH: The CPU retrieves the instruction that it needs to run from program memory.
DECODE: This is the process of breaking down the complier for the specific programme and breaking it down to assembly language so that the CPU can understand it.
EXECUTE: Based on the instructions it is given, the CPU can then do one of three things:
1) Using its Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), the CPU can calculate extremely complicated mathematical functions;
2) Move data from one memory location to another;
3) Jump to different addresses in the program based on decisions made by the CPU itself.
WRITEBACK: Each of the actions taken by the CPU produces some sort of output. The CPU takes this output and writes it into the computer’s memory.
• CPU’s can be extremely costly because they are the main source of the whole process of a computer. They usually come with a tower (which is the box which we usually refer to as the CPU, but as we know now, a CPU is the chip.) They may range anywhere between $200-$10,000.
NOTE: We are not including the microprocessors of supercomputers in the price range.
• In the near future Intel is planning to release some new designs of chips. These new designs are called the Sandy Bridge and the Ivy Bridge. The purpose of both of these chips is to improve the performance of a computer when multitasking to allow for a smooth experience. People are working towards improving the processors so they we completely get rid of computer “freezes” and “hang ups”.
• SANDY BRIDGE (Release date – January 2011): Its features include: Using Intel AVX which in turn accelerates the trends toward floating point intensive computation in general purpose applications like image, video, and audio processing, as well as engineering applications, including 3D modeling and analysis, scientific simulation, and financial analytics. It is also a 32 nanometre processor
• IVY BRIDGE (Release date – 2012): Its features include: It is a 22nanometre processor. Ivy Bridge will bring quad-core to the entry level, while delivering hexa-core and octa-core for other segments.
- http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Multi-core_computing_-_Development_motivation/id/4998265
- http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/cpu-technology- explained/
- http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20100412comp.htm
- http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=368607
• A CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the main component of a computer that does most of the processing. It accepts input data, processes the information and sends it to the component that is in charge of executing the action.
• The “interactivity” part of Multimedia connects to CPUs. We interact with CPUs - giving them instructions and they respond to our requests and finish the given task. They also allow us to look at images, animation, videos and texts. In fact, CPUs allow us to create multimedia within the computer. Examples include creating images with paint, making videos through adding images and sounds, writing text in word, recording sounds through microphones, and making animations with programmes such as pencil and inkscape.
• There are different types of processors. The designs include 8bit,12bit, 16bit, 32bit, 64bit, multicore, RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) etc.. There are countless but we can classify them generally as high-end CPUs and low-end CPUs. The two main producers of these chips are Intel and AMD. However the popular and interesting ones are multi core processor and the atom processor. These are the advantages and disadvantages of each:
ADVANTAGES OF MULTI CORE PROCESSOR:
Better responsiveness when multitasking
faster performance in single multithreaded applications
Higher instructions processed per clock cycle
cache coherency is greatly improved
Saves more power
DISADVANTAGES OF MULTI CORE PROCESSOR:
Expensive
Software application support and Operating system support is needed for it to work
“Production yields” decrease and become more difficult to manage.
Architectural perspective: single CPU designs make better use of the silicon surface area than a dual core processor
ADVANTAGES OF AN ATOM PROCESSOR:
Cheap
Uses less energy
Great for web books because it gives them 7-9 hours of battery life
Ideal for basic computing and in netbooks
DISADVANTAGES OF AN ATOM PROCESSOR:
Low performance
“Slow” computer
Cannot play 3Dgames or use softwares such as Photoshop.
• 64 bit processor was a sudden popular one so I decided to evaluate it as well.
• ADVANTAGES:
Some operating systems for 64 bit processors had the capacity to support the previous 32 bit designs as well.
Can certainly make working with large data sets in applications such as digital video, scientific computing, and large databases easier than 32 bits.
Makes multi tasking easier
Reduces clustering for high performance computing
Allows to address more RAM
• DISADVANTAGES
• http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=368607
A possible depletion in performance due to the larger memory address taking up twice as much room in the cache.
Hardware and software compatibility
• A CPU has four primary functions: FETCH, DECODE, EXECUTE, and WRITEBACK.
FETCH: The CPU retrieves the instruction that it needs to run from program memory.
DECODE: This is the process of breaking down the complier for the specific programme and breaking it down to assembly language so that the CPU can understand it.
EXECUTE: Based on the instructions it is given, the CPU can then do one of three things:
1) Using its Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), the CPU can calculate extremely complicated mathematical functions;
2) Move data from one memory location to another;
3) Jump to different addresses in the program based on decisions made by the CPU itself.
WRITEBACK: Each of the actions taken by the CPU produces some sort of output. The CPU takes this output and writes it into the computer’s memory.
• CPU’s can be extremely costly because they are the main source of the whole process of a computer. They usually come with a tower (which is the box which we usually refer to as the CPU, but as we know now, a CPU is the chip.) They may range anywhere between $200-$10,000.
NOTE: We are not including the microprocessors of supercomputers in the price range.
• In the near future Intel is planning to release some new designs of chips. These new designs are called the Sandy Bridge and the Ivy Bridge. The purpose of both of these chips is to improve the performance of a computer when multitasking to allow for a smooth experience. People are working towards improving the processors so they we completely get rid of computer “freezes” and “hang ups”.
• SANDY BRIDGE (Release date – January 2011): Its features include: Using Intel AVX which in turn accelerates the trends toward floating point intensive computation in general purpose applications like image, video, and audio processing, as well as engineering applications, including 3D modeling and analysis, scientific simulation, and financial analytics. It is also a 32 nanometre processor
• IVY BRIDGE (Release date – 2012): Its features include: It is a 22nanometre processor. Ivy Bridge will bring quad-core to the entry level, while delivering hexa-core and octa-core for other segments.
- http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Multi-core_computing_-_Development_motivation/id/4998265
- http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/cpu-technology- explained/
- http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20100412comp.htm
- http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=368607
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
WIX evaluation again
I was right about the graphics taking too long to load problem. Hopwever I am satisfied with my final website as it looks really good to me. I suggest the person marking will wait a little bit for my pages to load. I was having a weird problem with WIX as it sometimes said"encountered Error#23" and did not save my work. I had to save it again after a while and it worked. It had some technicla difficulties.
Remember how I thought that WIX had a hard interface for the designer? Well, I realised that it is really really EASY!! Once you get used to it is is the same.
So i am very happy with choosing WIX mainly because of the amount of animation it allowed me to use on my website that made it look more like a website. So along with its distinct qualities just mentioned I honestly still think it is the most versatile and had the same interface for the designer. The user interface for my website greatly depends on the person themselves(me!). This is because io was the one who made the whole navigation system and i am pretty sure that visitors will not be lost or confused whilst navigating through my website. I would like to say that i know know where to go in case I need to reccomed a website making website to someone who wants to make a website.
Remember how I thought that WIX had a hard interface for the designer? Well, I realised that it is really really EASY!! Once you get used to it is is the same.
So i am very happy with choosing WIX mainly because of the amount of animation it allowed me to use on my website that made it look more like a website. So along with its distinct qualities just mentioned I honestly still think it is the most versatile and had the same interface for the designer. The user interface for my website greatly depends on the person themselves(me!). This is because io was the one who made the whole navigation system and i am pretty sure that visitors will not be lost or confused whilst navigating through my website. I would like to say that i know know where to go in case I need to reccomed a website making website to someone who wants to make a website.
Friday, September 10, 2010
The future
The topic future directions had taught me that the new technologies are being created in order to suppress the rising problems we have relating to multimedia. For example the dual cores for CPUs are a great way to play games which have a high amount of graphics or for multitasking with different tasks that require a high amount of energy. Many people notice problems in hardware devices and feedback to the companies. Then, if the amount of people that agree on this is a large amount, they work out a solution for it and include it in their devices. Sometimes they have to create new devices, which people need to buy. Consumers get frustrated then because of this reason. This is what happened with Anroid creating new Bluetooth devices which then had to be purchased again.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Bluetooth research
• A short-range wireless technology designed to allow connection of portable devices in a wire-free manner. It offers short-range wireless communications between compatible devices for transferring data files such as photo or music files
• It is used to transfer multimedia content such as audio, video, text and animation to other devices that have Bluetooth capability. Examples of Bluetooth capable devices include phones, laptops, computers etc…
• There are different types of bluetooths. The exterior features of Bluetooths vary according to the manufacturers. These are visible differences but there are types of Bluetooth with different interior technical distinctions.
Firstly there are classified by their power levels. There are three basic power levels: Class1 devices which use 100mW (milliwatts) and have an operating range of up to 100 meters, Class2 devices which use 10mW (milliwatts) and have an operating range of up to 10 meters, and Class3 devices which use 1mW (milliwatts) and have an operating range of 0.1-10 meters.
Bluetooths are also classified according to their security levels: Mode1- Non-secure where No security is implemented, Mode2- Service-level security where Access is granted to individual services, and Mode3- Link-level security where Security is enforced at a common level for all applications at the beginning of the connection.
• The advantages and disadvantages of each type is pretty self explanatory. Obviously if you have a Class1 device with Mode3 link-level security, you are much better off than if you were to have a Class3 device with Mode1”non-secure”. But the advantages and disadvantages of Bluetooth as a whole are:
Advantages:
Inexpensive
Its range for transferring files even when you have walls, windows, or other physical obstructions.
Automatic(unless you set it to manual)
Wireless
Bluetooth devices are capable of communicating with multiple other Bluetooth capable devices at any given time.
Low energy consumption, which means longer sharing.
Share voice and data
It is upgradeable
Disadvantages:
Minor interferences (however the new technology is rapidly fixing emerging problems like these ones in an instant)
Bluetooth implementations normally limit the PIN number range. A PIN number is usually only four digits and the scalability for large environments is difficult.
• The YouTube video explains how Bluetooth works. But this is how it works: It comprises of a base band processor, a radio and an antenna. The base-band processor converts the data into signals, which radios can decipher. The antenna of another blue tooth device, within at least 30 feet distance, receives a transmitted signal in the air. The signals are processed in the reverse order. Bluetooth technology provides a 10-meter personal bubble that supports simultaneous transmission of both voice and data for multiple devices.
• Bluetooth was introduced by Toshiba for $199. Now it can range from $40 to $200 depending on the type of the device.
http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1328113
• This website states that there are going to be two new versions of Bluetooth available for the market in 2011. These include Bluetooth 3 which has 802.11 as a bearer-This bearer apparently makes data transmission faster. It is very suitable for consumer class lifestyle as consumers are demanding for a greater bandwidth in order to transfer large files such as images and videos. Bluetooth 4 will introduce a new low-energy (LE) mode that will enable communication with external peripherals and sensors. This will be used more in the industrial areas such as fitness, healthcare and environmental control. They can also use it enable new functions in handsets such as autolock when users move away from them. The improvements for Bluetooth always include better security levels and battery life.
- www.mobilefonereviews.co.uk/mobile-phone-glossary.aspx
- www.vodafone.com/start/investor_relations/shareholder_services/faq/glossary.html
- http://www.tech-faq.com/bluetooth.html
- http://www.bluetomorrow.com/about-bluetooth-technology/general-bluetooth-information/bluetooth-advantages.html
- http://www.bluetomorrow.com/bluetooth-reviews/phone-and-phone-system-reviews/vtech-ls6245-expandable-bluetooth-phone-system.html
- http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1328113
• It is used to transfer multimedia content such as audio, video, text and animation to other devices that have Bluetooth capability. Examples of Bluetooth capable devices include phones, laptops, computers etc…
• There are different types of bluetooths. The exterior features of Bluetooths vary according to the manufacturers. These are visible differences but there are types of Bluetooth with different interior technical distinctions.
Firstly there are classified by their power levels. There are three basic power levels: Class1 devices which use 100mW (milliwatts) and have an operating range of up to 100 meters, Class2 devices which use 10mW (milliwatts) and have an operating range of up to 10 meters, and Class3 devices which use 1mW (milliwatts) and have an operating range of 0.1-10 meters.
Bluetooths are also classified according to their security levels: Mode1- Non-secure where No security is implemented, Mode2- Service-level security where Access is granted to individual services, and Mode3- Link-level security where Security is enforced at a common level for all applications at the beginning of the connection.
• The advantages and disadvantages of each type is pretty self explanatory. Obviously if you have a Class1 device with Mode3 link-level security, you are much better off than if you were to have a Class3 device with Mode1”non-secure”. But the advantages and disadvantages of Bluetooth as a whole are:
Advantages:
Inexpensive
Its range for transferring files even when you have walls, windows, or other physical obstructions.
Automatic(unless you set it to manual)
Wireless
Bluetooth devices are capable of communicating with multiple other Bluetooth capable devices at any given time.
Low energy consumption, which means longer sharing.
Share voice and data
It is upgradeable
Disadvantages:
Minor interferences (however the new technology is rapidly fixing emerging problems like these ones in an instant)
Bluetooth implementations normally limit the PIN number range. A PIN number is usually only four digits and the scalability for large environments is difficult.
• The YouTube video explains how Bluetooth works. But this is how it works: It comprises of a base band processor, a radio and an antenna. The base-band processor converts the data into signals, which radios can decipher. The antenna of another blue tooth device, within at least 30 feet distance, receives a transmitted signal in the air. The signals are processed in the reverse order. Bluetooth technology provides a 10-meter personal bubble that supports simultaneous transmission of both voice and data for multiple devices.
• Bluetooth was introduced by Toshiba for $199. Now it can range from $40 to $200 depending on the type of the device.
http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1328113
• This website states that there are going to be two new versions of Bluetooth available for the market in 2011. These include Bluetooth 3 which has 802.11 as a bearer-This bearer apparently makes data transmission faster. It is very suitable for consumer class lifestyle as consumers are demanding for a greater bandwidth in order to transfer large files such as images and videos. Bluetooth 4 will introduce a new low-energy (LE) mode that will enable communication with external peripherals and sensors. This will be used more in the industrial areas such as fitness, healthcare and environmental control. They can also use it enable new functions in handsets such as autolock when users move away from them. The improvements for Bluetooth always include better security levels and battery life.
- www.mobilefonereviews.co.uk/mobile-phone-glossary.aspx
- www.vodafone.com/start/investor_relations/shareholder_services/faq/glossary.html
- http://www.tech-faq.com/bluetooth.html
- http://www.bluetomorrow.com/about-bluetooth-technology/general-bluetooth-information/bluetooth-advantages.html
- http://www.bluetomorrow.com/bluetooth-reviews/phone-and-phone-system-reviews/vtech-ls6245-expandable-bluetooth-phone-system.html
- http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1328113
Handheld Research
• A handheld device is a pocket-sized computing device, typically having a display screen with touch input and/or a miniature keyboard. We use it for entertainment (camera, games, music, videos), storage so that we can access multimedia while we are on the go, organization with the help of applications such as calendars, memos, tasks and timers, to socialize with social networking sites(facebook, twitter), to contact each other via calling or text messages and many more.
• As we know multimedia is a medium with a combination of different contents such as audio, video, animation, text, interactivity, and still images. Most handheld devices come with all of these contents- making it part of the multimedia world. We use cameras to produce images and videos, we use the microphones to record sounds, in laptops we can create animation through software, and in order to do all this, we interact with the device. Therefore it is a part of the multimedia world.
• Mobile computers – The whole idea of using a mobile while on the go is cool- it’s portability. Bu the disadvantages include: Insufficient bandwidth, power consumption, Transmission interferences in places like tunnels, Potential health hazards (accidents because of using mobile phone while driving, and human interference with device (getting used to the small keypads etc…
Mobile internet device (or MIDs)- It is a multimedia-capable mobile device providing wireless Internet access. It is a consumer class lifestyle device and runs a "lightweight" Operating system. It is also optimized for things like media playback and web surfing.
o Personal digital assistant/enterprise digital assistant
o Calculator
o Handheld game console
o Portable media player
o Digital still camera (DSC)
o Digital video camera (DVC or digital camcorder)
o Mobile phone
o Pager
o Personal navigation device (PND)
Smartphones:
Advantages:
With the help of electronic diaries, contact lists, and automatic reminders, they can help you be organised.
Similar to a PDA, you can take notes, review and edit your appointments, contacts and documents, all while you're on the move.
More applications are being added to smartphone to make it easier for the user. Examples include access to maps and directions, television transmissions with news coverage or weather reports to traffic information and scheduling alerts.
Email and web access while you are on the go. The web access has also grown considerably faster over the years.
Better information sharing- you can share files worth greater amount of data than previously.
Greater functionality- taking a picture and sending it instantly
Disadvantages: http://it.medicine.dal.ca/handheld/connectivity/smartphones.htm
requires an expensive wireless data plan
bigger and heavier than a regular digital cell phone
hard to use your PDA at the same time as talking on the phone
• The two main devices from which the others branch out are MIDs and UMPCs. Therefore here are the advantages ad disadvantages of each:
ADVANTAGES OF MIDS:
Runs on a lightweight OS
Useful for web surfing
Are portable
Can socialize online effectively
DISADVANTAGES OF MIDS:
Internet and bandwidth reliant
Security Issues- “spyware”
Cost of the device
Cost of the internet (excluding hotspots)
ADVANTAGES OF UMPCs:
Powerful processor
A big, bright display
Support for the latest connectivity standards.
Optimized for office use applications
DISADVANTAGES OF UMPCs:
Costlier than MIDs
Runs on a heavy OS- less battery time
• The price range of all handheld devices is from $20(calculator) to $1240(I pad).
• Nintendo 3DS. It uses the latest technology called “autostereoscopy”. No glasses required. It falls into the category of portable game consoles. This is a revolutionary technology that will change other things like televisions or even computers and laptops. Other video games will quickly grasp onto this “glasses free” 3D experience. Since it is new, a lot of people would be eager to get the latest technology but I am betting you that other problems will arise with this new invention and then again people will invent solutions for those problems. So we can see that inventions have invisible threads to them that attach to bring out the creation of other inventions.
• Sony is planning to release a playstation phone, which will essentially be a new smartphone capable of downloading and playing Playstation games. This will be popular because it will reduce the number of devices being bought by people and also makes various playstation games portable.
• The other will be a tablet device combining a netbook, and e-book reader, and gaming functionality. Another combination of entertainment for consumers that will be popular because of the reduction of devices.
• In order for handheld devices to work a range of components are essential.
• These include the display screen, sizes, storage capacity, hard disk drives, how to input data, type of keyboard, memory, Wi-Fi connectivity and camera. However I believe the main component is the battery that brings the whole device to life without the use of any wires. People are moving towards creating new batteries which are less heavy but ones that provide longer lasting battery life. In order to display content display screens of all sizes are available in today's market. The average would be 3 inches but sizes vary. The resolution of the display screen is important. This is because no matter how big the device is, you need to be able to see the content. Handheld devices also store multimedia and there is a limit to its capacity. However by inserting SD (secure digital) cards into the devices, we can invariably increase its capacity. An example could be my phone- I had put a 2GB SD card into it otherwise, my mobile would only be able to store about 20 photos. In order to store we have o input data somehow: through cameras, ports (usually USB ones), and through keyboards (such as the QWERTY keyboard or touch screen).To enjoy social networking on the go, devices work through wireless internet connection called Wi-Fi.
- http://www.is4profit.com/business-advice/it-telecoms/smartphones/the-benefits-of-smartphones.html
- http://communication.howstuffworks.com/smartphone.htm
- http://www.squidoo.com/mobile_internet
- http://www.ehow.com/list_6500784_advantages-disadvantages-mobile-internet.html
• As we know multimedia is a medium with a combination of different contents such as audio, video, animation, text, interactivity, and still images. Most handheld devices come with all of these contents- making it part of the multimedia world. We use cameras to produce images and videos, we use the microphones to record sounds, in laptops we can create animation through software, and in order to do all this, we interact with the device. Therefore it is a part of the multimedia world.
• Mobile computers – The whole idea of using a mobile while on the go is cool- it’s portability. Bu the disadvantages include: Insufficient bandwidth, power consumption, Transmission interferences in places like tunnels, Potential health hazards (accidents because of using mobile phone while driving, and human interference with device (getting used to the small keypads etc…
Mobile internet device (or MIDs)- It is a multimedia-capable mobile device providing wireless Internet access. It is a consumer class lifestyle device and runs a "lightweight" Operating system. It is also optimized for things like media playback and web surfing.
o Personal digital assistant/enterprise digital assistant
o Calculator
o Handheld game console
o Portable media player
o Digital still camera (DSC)
o Digital video camera (DVC or digital camcorder)
o Mobile phone
o Pager
o Personal navigation device (PND)
Smartphones:
Advantages:
With the help of electronic diaries, contact lists, and automatic reminders, they can help you be organised.
Similar to a PDA, you can take notes, review and edit your appointments, contacts and documents, all while you're on the move.
More applications are being added to smartphone to make it easier for the user. Examples include access to maps and directions, television transmissions with news coverage or weather reports to traffic information and scheduling alerts.
Email and web access while you are on the go. The web access has also grown considerably faster over the years.
Better information sharing- you can share files worth greater amount of data than previously.
Greater functionality- taking a picture and sending it instantly
Disadvantages: http://it.medicine.dal.ca/handheld/connectivity/smartphones.htm
requires an expensive wireless data plan
bigger and heavier than a regular digital cell phone
hard to use your PDA at the same time as talking on the phone
• The two main devices from which the others branch out are MIDs and UMPCs. Therefore here are the advantages ad disadvantages of each:
ADVANTAGES OF MIDS:
Runs on a lightweight OS
Useful for web surfing
Are portable
Can socialize online effectively
DISADVANTAGES OF MIDS:
Internet and bandwidth reliant
Security Issues- “spyware”
Cost of the device
Cost of the internet (excluding hotspots)
ADVANTAGES OF UMPCs:
Powerful processor
A big, bright display
Support for the latest connectivity standards.
Optimized for office use applications
DISADVANTAGES OF UMPCs:
Costlier than MIDs
Runs on a heavy OS- less battery time
• The price range of all handheld devices is from $20(calculator) to $1240(I pad).
• Nintendo 3DS. It uses the latest technology called “autostereoscopy”. No glasses required. It falls into the category of portable game consoles. This is a revolutionary technology that will change other things like televisions or even computers and laptops. Other video games will quickly grasp onto this “glasses free” 3D experience. Since it is new, a lot of people would be eager to get the latest technology but I am betting you that other problems will arise with this new invention and then again people will invent solutions for those problems. So we can see that inventions have invisible threads to them that attach to bring out the creation of other inventions.
• Sony is planning to release a playstation phone, which will essentially be a new smartphone capable of downloading and playing Playstation games. This will be popular because it will reduce the number of devices being bought by people and also makes various playstation games portable.
• The other will be a tablet device combining a netbook, and e-book reader, and gaming functionality. Another combination of entertainment for consumers that will be popular because of the reduction of devices.
• In order for handheld devices to work a range of components are essential.
• These include the display screen, sizes, storage capacity, hard disk drives, how to input data, type of keyboard, memory, Wi-Fi connectivity and camera. However I believe the main component is the battery that brings the whole device to life without the use of any wires. People are moving towards creating new batteries which are less heavy but ones that provide longer lasting battery life. In order to display content display screens of all sizes are available in today's market. The average would be 3 inches but sizes vary. The resolution of the display screen is important. This is because no matter how big the device is, you need to be able to see the content. Handheld devices also store multimedia and there is a limit to its capacity. However by inserting SD (secure digital) cards into the devices, we can invariably increase its capacity. An example could be my phone- I had put a 2GB SD card into it otherwise, my mobile would only be able to store about 20 photos. In order to store we have o input data somehow: through cameras, ports (usually USB ones), and through keyboards (such as the QWERTY keyboard or touch screen).To enjoy social networking on the go, devices work through wireless internet connection called Wi-Fi.
- http://www.is4profit.com/business-advice/it-telecoms/smartphones/the-benefits-of-smartphones.html
- http://communication.howstuffworks.com/smartphone.htm
- http://www.squidoo.com/mobile_internet
- http://www.ehow.com/list_6500784_advantages-disadvantages-mobile-internet.html
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Difficulties/ Interesting Things/Solutions
• It is very hard to choose a template in wix because there are just so many of them. You would like to have a look on everything but time limit gets you.
• I just realized that I have too much information from the research. I probably will have to cut it down a liitle bit and include more pictures and videos , which reminds me that I have to even research videos on youtube about the specific topic I am doing and talk about it as well.
• I actually found making your own page was easier than choosing a template because the template is fixed to a certain theme but when you do it you can customize your website. This way we could also explore and find out many interesting features.
• I just realized that I have too much information from the research. I probably will have to cut it down a liitle bit and include more pictures and videos , which reminds me that I have to even research videos on youtube about the specific topic I am doing and talk about it as well.
• I actually found making your own page was easier than choosing a template because the template is fixed to a certain theme but when you do it you can customize your website. This way we could also explore and find out many interesting features.
- I found out that Wix does not let me load bitmap images into the editing pages. in fact the bitmap images do not even come up on the screen when i try to upload them from my computer. The only files it supports are jpg. JPEG. Gif. and Png. files. I will have to convert them . These littl ethings just waste time.
- Wix has minipages in which you can put text. I became VERY VERY annoyed with the editing bit because you have to click on the "box" to edit. I click on it a thousand times but it does not let me edit. You have to literally click on it carefully 10 times to get it right. Then you should not put the cursor anywhere else otherwise you have to start the whole process again!! it is soooooo annooying!! I tried to close my window and open it again but still it was doing the same thing!
- There is also a problem with inserting tables into WIx or even this blogger posts. The format is completley mixed and messy. This means that i have to basically rewrite the whole thing again in point form.
- I kind of found a solution for the "table words mix up" but it was not effective. I used the snip tool and cut out the table part out of my word document. But when I added the table it was blurry. I figured out that putting it in a text box is better as we can see it clearluy and move it to our convenience.
- I have learnt a BIG lesson. I have to save my work after every chang ei make. My computer at my house kept shutting down every 20 minutes and i lost the changes i made for 5 times. Then I learnt to save it every 2 minutes.
- I did not put music in my website except for the future page because i thought that the music will interfere with the audio od the videos i put on the same pages. However i had no videos for the future page so i decided to keep music on that page.
- I also decided to put the topic of "future" in a completley different page as i thought that it is an important topic that drives attention to the latest technological updates and developments and the combination of the future of different topics will lead poeple to look at thje dramatic change in technology over many yaers.
Friday, September 3, 2010
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