What are the advantages and disadvantages of hardcopy output, factors for selecting output devices, and features of fixed storage devices?

Here are the answers to your questions:

THURSDAY

1. Give two disadvantages of hardcopy output.

   • a) Not easily editable or searchable digitally.
   • b) Consumes physical resources like paper and ink, contributing to waste.

2. List two factors to consider when selecting output devices.

   • a) Resolution or Quality: The clarity and detail of the output (e.g., screen resolution, print DPI).
   • b) Speed: How quickly the device can produce output (e.g., pages per minute for printers, refresh rate for monitors).

3. State two ways of caring for output devices.

   • a) Keep them clean and free from dust, especially vents and screens.
   • b) Avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, or moisture.

4. Give two examples of fixed storage devices.

   • a) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
   • b) Solid State Drive (SSD)

5. List two features of fixed storage devices.

   • a) High storage capacity to store large amounts of data.
   • b) Non-volatile storage, meaning data persists even when power is off.

FRIDAY

1. List two advantages of fixed storage devices.

   • a) Faster data access speeds compared to most external or removable storage.
   • b) Large storage capacity suitable for operating systems, applications, and extensive user data.

2. Give two features of solid state drive.

   • a) No moving parts, making them more durable, silent, and less prone to mechanical failure.
   • b) Significantly faster data read/write speeds than traditional hard disk drives.

3. List three ways in which data is written on a fixed storage device.

   • a) Magnetic recording: Data is stored as magnetic patterns on platters (e.g., in HDDs).
   • b) Electrical charges: Data is stored in flash memory cells using electrical charges (e.g., in SSDs).
   • c) Laser etching/burning: Data is permanently written by a laser creating pits on a disc (e.g., in internal optical drives).

4. Give two advantages of fixed storage devices.

   • a) High reliability as they are typically housed internally and less exposed to physical damage.
   • b) Cost-effective per unit of storage for high capacities, especially with HDDs.

5. Give two disadvantages of fixed storage devices.

   • a) Not easily portable as they are typically installed inside a computer.
   • b) Difficult to upgrade or replace without opening the computer casing.