Unit 20 task 2 woksheet
- 1. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies Brief 1_Task 2 Name:Adam Crittenden Researched Definition (include URL link) Explanation in your own words Imagery Why is this important to hardware technologie s for game platforms? Human Computer Interface HCI (human-computerinteraction) isthe studyof howpeople interactwith computersandto what extent computersare or are not developedfor successful interactionwithhuman beings.A significantnumberof major corporationsandacademicinstitutions nowstudyHCI. Historicallyandwith some exceptions,computersystem developershave notpaidmuchattention to computerease-of-use.Many computeruserstodaywouldargue that computermakersare still notpaying enoughattentiontomakingtheir products"user-friendly."However, computersystemdevelopersmight argue that computersare extremely complex productstodesignandmake and that the demandforthe services that computerscan provide hasalways outdriventhe demandforease-of-use. http://searchsoftwarequality.techtarget. com/definition/HCI-human-computer- interaction The main thingaboutHuman ComputerInterface,isthatit's basicallyhowyouinteractwith the computer.Some thingsthat make the topic grey,isthe fact that you've gotthe people that use the computers,thatwant to be able to easilynavigate their ownPC's. Thenyouhave the companies,thatare confused aboutwhat people want.People don't justwantease-of-use,they alsowant greatpowerand ability intheircomputers,sothe companiesargue that,there isno wayto make it easyto use with the specificationsthe userwants. People wantamiddle groundthat isextremelyhardtocome to. Computerswill alwaysbe difficult to fullyunderstandfromausers perspective.Mostpeople just wantto be able tosurf the web on theircomputer,butcomplain Thisis important as it isfocuses on howeasythe computeristo navigate around. If the interface was a huge mess,the computer wouldn’tbe usedmuch,as no-one would knowhowto do anythingonit. Whereasyou can get the user interface amazinglyeasy to use,butit mightnot have the same abilitiesas somethingthat’s harderto use. Chromebooks
- 2. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies Brief 1_Task 2 abouthow difficultitisto navigate settings.Thenyouget gamers,who(hopefully)know the inside andoutof their system,astheymessaroundwith settings,files,core components all the time justto try to get the bestfroma certaingame. for example are one of the easiestthings I’ve used,butI doesn’tcome nearthe power of a windows computer. Central Processing Unit (CPU) A central processingunit(CPU) isthe electroniccircuitry withinacomputer that carriesout the instructionsof a computerprogramby performingthe basicarithmetic,logical,control and input/output(I/O)operationsspecified by the instructions.The termhasbeen usedinthe computerindustryat least since the early1960s. Traditionally,the term"CPU" refersto a processor,more specificallytoitsprocessingunitand control unit(CU),distinguishingthese core elementsof acomputerfrom external componentssuchasmain memoryandI/O circuitry. The form, designandimplementationof CPUs have changedoverthe course of theirhistory,buttheirfundamental operationremainsalmostunchanged. Principal componentsof aCPU include the arithmeticlogicunit(ALU) that performsarithmeticandlogic The CPU isbasicallythe brainof the computer.It controlsall the actionsof the computer.If you pressthe ‘K’keyon the keyboard, it goesthroughthe CPU, processesit, andthenshowsiton the screen(if itcan, obviously). Everythingthathappenswiththe computergoesthroughthe CPU firstto processthe information. The CPU is importantas itis the brainof the computer.It translatesand carriesout all of the actionsyou do.Withoutit, the computer simplywouldn’t be able to function properly,maybe not atall.
- 3. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies Brief 1_Task 2 operations, processorregistersthat supplyoperandstothe ALU and store the resultsof ALU operations,anda control unitthat fetchesinstructions frommemoryand "executes"themby directingthe coordinatedoperationsof the ALU, registersandother components. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_processing_unit Graphic Processors A graphicsprocessingunit(GPU) isa computerchipthat performsrapid mathematical calculations,primarilyfor the purpose of renderingimages. Inthe earlydaysof computing,the central processingunit(CPU) performedthese calculations.Asmore graphics-intensive applicationswere developed,however, theirdemandsputstrainon the CPU and degradedperformance.The GPUcame aboutas a wayto offloadthose tasks fromthe CPU,freeingupitsprocessing power. A graphicsprocessingunitisable to renderimagesmore quicklythanaCPU because of itsparallel processing architecture,whichallowsittoperform multiple calculationsatthe same time. The resultingperformance improvementshave made GPUspopular chipsfor otherresource-intensive tasks The main use of the GPU isto reduce strainfromthe CPU for thingslike graphic-intensive applications.Doingthisfreesup the CPU’s processingpower. The GPU alsorendersimages more quicklythanthe CPU as it is more designedforthatsort of operation,where the CPUisused for everything.GPU’sare also popularforotherintensive tasks, to furtherreduce the effortof the CPU. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=BKWFM_6fREk The GPU is importantto hardware technologiesfor game platforms as it eliminates performance barriersthat you wouldhave if youjust useda CPU on it’sown.
- 4. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies Brief 1_Task 2 unrelatedtographics. http://searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com/definition/G PU-graphics-processing-unit Memory (RAM) RAM(pronouncedramm) isan acronym for randomaccess memory,atype of computermemorythatcan be accessed randomly;thatis,any byte of memory can be accessedwithouttouchingthe precedingbytes.RAMisthe most commontype of memoryfoundin computersandotherdevices, suchas printers. Incommonusage,the term RAMis synonymouswithmainmemory, the memoryavailable toprograms.For example,acomputerwith8MB RAMhas approximately8millionbytesof memory that programscan use.Incontrast,ROM (read-onlymemory) referstospecial memoryusedtostore programs that bootthe computerandperform diagnostics.Mostpersonal computers have a small amountof ROM(a few thousandbytes).Infact,bothtypesof memory(ROMandRAM) allowrandom access.To be precise,therefore,RAM shouldbe referredtoasread/write RAM and ROMas read-onlyRAM. http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RAM.html RAM, or randomaccess memory, ismemorythat, well,canbe accessedrandomly.Applications can use any free byte of memory withoutinterferingwithany otherbytes.Incommonterms,it isreferredtoas the main memory of a computer,mainlybecause it isso commonlyknownandused. For example,acomputerthathas 8MB of RAMwill have about8 millionbytesof memoryupfor use.RAMis mostlyusedbypretty much everything,soitisgoodto have a lot of RAM inyour computer. http://study.com/academy/lesson /what-is-random-access-memory- ram-definition-history-quiz.html RAMis importantas itis the memoryof the computer. Withoutit,no applications wouldbe able to be stored, makingyour computer virtuallyuseless. The more RAM, the better.For example,it wouldbe better to have 64MB of RAMthan 8MB.
- 5. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies Brief 1_Task 2 Display A displayisacomputeroutputsurface and projectingmechanismthatshows textand oftengraphicimagestothe computeruser,usinga cathode ray tube ( CRT ),liquidcrystal display( LCD), light- emittingdiode,gasplasma,orother image projectiontechnology.The display isusuallyconsideredtoinclude the screenor projectionsurface andthe device thatproducesthe informationon the screen.Insome computers,the displayispackagedina separate unit calleda monitor.In othercomputers, the displayisintegratedintoaunitwith the processorand otherparts of the computer.(Some sourcesmake the distinctionthatthe monitorincludes othersignal-handlingdevices thatfeed and control the displayorprojection device.However,thisdistinction disappearswhenall these partsbecome integratedintoatotal unit,as inthe case of notebookcomputers.) Displays(and monitors) are alsosometimescalled videodisplayterminals(VDTs) .The termsdisplayandmonitorare often usedinterchangably. http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/display The displayof the computeris whatyou see inthe monitor.The monitorisjustthe housingunit for everythingthatcomesinside of it.The displayisusedtodisplay thingsto the computersuser, basicallyeverythingyousee. There are manydifferentwaysto projectthe image,the most common A displayis arguablythe mostimportant componentasit allowsyoutosee exactlywhatyou ae doing. Withoutone, well,you wouldn’tbe able to see anything that youare doing.Youcould have the best computerbuild inthe world, withouta display,it’s basicallyuseless.
- 6. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies Brief 1_Task 2 Sound SoundisdefinedbyANSI/ASA S1.1-2013 as "(a) Oscillationinpressure,stress, particle displacement,particle velocity, etc.,propagatedina mediumwith internal forces(e.g.,elasticorviscous), or the superpositionof suchpropagated oscillation.(b)Auditorysensationevoked by the oscillationdescribedin(a)." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound Soundiswhat youhear.In It’s mostbasic form.It isusedfor almosteverything.There isno place on Earth that iscompletely voidof sound.Noteventhose supersoundproofedrooms. There isalwayssoundto hear, well,unlessyou’re deaf. Soundis importantas if youdidn’thave anythingtoplay soundinthe hardware, gamesyouplay wouldbe dull, and boring. Game Storage Medium In computers,astorage mediumisany technology(includingdevicesand materials) usedtoplace,keep,and retrieve data.A mediumisanelement usedincommunicatingamessage;ona storage medium,the "messages" - inthe formof data - are suspendedforuse whenneeded.The plural formof this termis storage media.Althoughthe termstorage includesbothprimary storage (memory),astorage medium usually meansaplace to holdsecondary storage such as that ona hard diskor tape. http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/storage- medium Game Storage Mediumis basicallyused asthe storage of tings.It’sjustmemory,like RAM. It isusedto store tings,hold things,andmake thingseasily retrievableforthe user.Itis importantif youwant to play gamesas you needtostore those games,andthe assetsinthat game and any otherfile that comeswithit. A game storage mediumis importantinthe hardware technologyso that youcan store all the gamesand thingsyouwant to use.It can be anythingwith memoryand space.
- 7. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies Brief 1_Task 2 Interface Devices An interface device (IDF) isahardware componentorsystemof components that allowsahumanbeingto interact witha computer,a telephonesystem,or otherelectronicinformationsystem.The termis oftenencounteredinthe mobile communicationindustrywhere designers are challengedtobuildthe proper combinationof portability,capability, and ease of use intothe interface device. The overall setof characteristics providedbyaninterface device isoften referredtoas the userinterface (and,for computers- at least,inmore academic discussions - the human-computer interface orHCI ).Today's desktopand notebookcomputershave whathas come to be calledagraphical user interface ( GUI ) to distinguishitfrom earlier,more limitedinterfacessuchas the commandline interface ( CLI). http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/interface- device-IDF An interface device issomething that letsthe userinteractwith the piece of electronicthatthey wantto. It couldbe a computer, mobile phone,orprettymuch anythingthattakesuserinput. The companiesthatmake such thingsare alwayswitha constant struggle of howto make it more portable,easytouse,how capable isit of doingitsjob,and plentyotherthings. Modernday computershave a graphical user interface,whichisalotbetter than the older,more limited, commandline interface. Interface devices are importantas theyallowthe userto, well, interactwiththe computer. Without somethinglike,a mouse,ora keyboard,you wouldn’tbe able to do a whole lot withyour powerful,shiny PC. Connectivit y Measure of the extenttowhichthe components(nodes) of anetworkare connectedtoone another,andthe ease (speed) withwhichtheycan'converse.' http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/connecti vity.html Connectivityismainlyusedwhen talkingaboutyourinternets,well, connectivity.Itpaystohave a goodconnectivityasitmeans thingscan getdone a lot quicker, online,thatis. Connectivityis importantas there can be multiple waysto talkabout it.It can be about your internet,or the connectivity of bitsof
- 8. Salford City College Eccles Sixth Form Centre BTEC Extended Diploma in GAMES DESIGN Unit 20: Computer Game Platforms and Technologies Brief 1_Task 2 hardware inyour PC. Power Supply A powersupply isanelectronicdevice that supplieselectricenergytoan electrical load.The primaryfunctionof a powersupplyistoconvertone form of electrical energytoanotherand,asa result,powersuppliesare sometimes referredtoas electricpowerconverters. Some powersuppliesare discrete,stand- alone devices,whereasothersare built intolargerdevicesalongwiththeirloads. Examplesof the latterinclude power suppliesfoundindesktopcomputersand consumerelectronicsdevices. Everypowersupplymustobtainthe energyitsuppliestoitsload,aswell as any energyitconsumeswhileperforming that task,from an energysource. Dependingonitsdesign,apowersupply may obtainenergyfromvarioustypesof energysources,includingelectrical energytransmissionsystems,energy storage devicessuchasa batteriesand fuel cells,electromechanical systems such as generatorsandalternators,solar powerconverters,oranotherpower supply. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply A powersupplygivespowerto electronicitems,andthere are manydifferentpowersuppliesfor manydifferentdevices. Computersuse a basiccable and plugthat connectsintothe main electricitygrid.Whereasalaptop (whichisa computer,just different) usesabatterypackthat ischarged bythe mainelectricity grid.Otherthingsuse just batteriesthatneedtobe changed,mostcommonly,TV remotes. A powersupply isimportantas it allowsyouto powerthe hardware componentsin your PC,without one,yourPC is justa bigpile of uselessmetal and plastic. Some things needdifferent powersupplies. For example, poweringa computerwith2 AA batteries wouldn’tbe very useful.