Hardware

VOCABULARY

• memory = is a storage location

• storage = is a memory location

• memory = stores instructions for the cpu to process

DETAILS

• purpose of memory is to hold instructions so the CPU can work with them

• the CPU constantly interacts with memory as it processes instructions for programs

• when the CPU loads an application, it is stored in memory. eg Adobe Reader is stored in memory

• when the CPU loads a file, it is stored in memory. eg a spreadsheet budget file is stored in memory

• a CPU constantly needs to go back and forth to memory to get instructions so it can run programs

• a CPU needs memory and storage so it can coordinate input and output devices

• without memory a computer would not work

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VOCABULARY

• motherboard = main circuit board for control of the computer,  inside the system unit

• CPU = central processing unit. The busiest component on the motherboard

• cache memory = on the CPU

• primary memory/storage = on the motherboard. Often called Main Memory.

• secondary memory/storage = connected to the motherboard

DETAILS

• Type 1 - cache memory. This is memory that is on the CPU

• Type 2 - primary memory. RAM. Also called volatile memory. Lost when power goes off. Faster than secondary memory

• Type 3 - secondary memory. Hard disk, USB etc. Non-volatile or permanent. Used for storage of data. Not lost when powered down

VOCABULARY

• CPU = the part of a computer which controls and executes all actions

DETAILS

• the CPU executes stored instructions

• interacts with memory for instructions and data

• communicates with input, output, storage and communication devices

VOCABULARY

• typeface = a design for a set of characters

• size = how large or small

• alignment = arrangement in a line; left, right or both

• format = the way that it is arranged or set out

• spacing = the distance between

• typography = the art of arranging type

• glyph = one character in a font set

The image below shows glyphs for the letter m

DETAILS

• use only one or two fonts in your digital solutions

• typeface (or font) have several characteristics including the way they look

• serif or sans serif; the last m above has serif (or decorarive marks) remember that sans means no, so sans serif means no decorative marks

• serif is supposed to be easier to read on paper, sans serif easier on screen; do your own analysis on this; What do you think?

• the weight of line used - bold or naturally heavier within a typeface (or font set)

• uppercase / lowercase; most fonts come in uppercase and lowercase. Which ones don't?

Size

• the size - how big

• size for fonts, measured in 'points'  72pt  is 1" or 2.5cm in height

• size is standardised across all applications 

• a size 16 pt font in Micrsosoft Word is similar in size to size 16 in Apple's Pages

Alignment

• alignment; left align = text lines are rendered flush left, centre = text lines are centered, right align = text lines are rendered flush right

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Format (TBC)

• bold, italics, underlined

Spacing

• Tracking is the equal space between all the letters in a word, eg   w  o  r  d      or larger spacing    w    o    r    d

• Kerning is the uneven spaces between some letters in a word. The letters r  and  n when together like this, rn , actually look like an m

• You can change the kerning in some software to automatically fix problem letter combinations

• http://www.w3schools.com/cssref/css_websafe_fonts.asp   Here you can experiment with what a font will look like from your code input. Click the green box, Try Yourself