Computing II - intermediate Honor

Vocational Activities

Requirements

  1. Have the Computing I honor

    Answer: You must first complete the Computing I Honor — a mandatory prerequisite that teaches basic concepts of hardware (CPU, memory, peripherals), software (operating system, applications), safe use of the internet, and basic computer operations. Present the Computing I badge to the instructor before starting Computing II - intermediate. — The prerequisite system of the SAD Manual stages the learning; Computing I covers basic Windows, Word, Excel, web browsing, and digital security; Computing II advances into basic programming, advanced hardware, and networks; the Adventist education standard for the digital era applied in Brazilian schools today, in force.

  2. Present a report of at least 1000 words about second-generation computers

    Answer: Second-generation computers (1955-1964) used transistors instead of valves (the first generation). They were smaller, faster, cheaper, and generated less heat. High-level languages such as FORTRAN (1957) and COBOL (1959) emerged. Examples: IBM 1401, IBM 7090, UNIVAC II. Write 1000 words with the history, technical characteristics, main models, and impact on society. — The transistor was invented in 1947 at Bell Labs by Bardeen, Shockley, and Brattain (Nobel 1956); the IBM 1401 sold 12,000 units; FORTRAN (Formula Translation) is still used in science; COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language) still runs 70% of the world's banking transactions; the 2nd generation era revolutionized the computing industry, in effect today.

  3. Define the following terms:
    • Netbook
    • Notebook (laptop)
    • Microcomputer
    • Tablet
    • Mainframe

    Answer: 1) Netbook: a small, light, and inexpensive portable computer, with little processing power, aimed mainly at internet use and simple tasks. 2) Notebook: a complete portable computer (laptop), with an integrated screen, keyboard, and battery, capable of performing the same tasks as a desktop computer. 3) Microcomputer: a common personal desktop computer (desktop PC), made up of a case (CPU), monitor, keyboard, and mouse, used at home and in the office. 4) Tablet: a portable device with a touchscreen and no physical keyboard, operated with the fingers (for example, the iPad and Android tablets). 5) Mainframe: a large, high-capacity computer, used by large companies and banks to process millions of simultaneous transactions (the IBM Z is a modern example). — Netbooks dominated 2008-2012 but lost out to tablets; IBM Z mainframes process 70% of the world's financial transactions; tablets were revolutionized by the iPad in 2010; microcomputers have existed since 1975 (Altair 8800); the ENIAC (1946) occupied 167 m² — today one smartphone has more computing power, in effect.

  4. Using a more complete text editor, write a letter and send it to a close relative, using the formatting features that the text editor provides.

    Answer: Word is the Microsoft 365 standard (US$70/year); LibreOffice is free (open source); Google Docs runs in the browser for free; PDF preserves formatting across different devices; basic formatting features are part of digital literacy according to the MEC and the international ICDL standards applied in Brazilian schools today, in force.

  5. Know what the following mean when buying:
    • Amount of memory
    • Processor speed
    • Types of processor
    • Types of monitor

    Answer: 1) Amount of memory: refers to the RAM, which is the computer's temporary processing capacity (it stores the data of the programs in use). The more memory, the more tasks and tabs the computer runs at the same time without freezing. Today 8 GB is the reasonable minimum and 16 GB is ideal for general use. 2) Processor speed: it is measured by the clock, in gigahertz (GHz). It indicates how many operations the processor performs per second — the higher the value, the faster it is (values between 3 and 5 GHz are common). The number of cores also counts, allowing several tasks to be performed in parallel. 3) Types of processor: the two main brands are Intel (the Core i3, i5, i7, and i9 lines, from the most basic to the most powerful) and AMD (the Ryzen 3, 5, 7, and 9 lines). The higher the line number, the greater the performance and the price. 4) Types of monitor: LCD (liquid crystal display, older), LED (more modern, energy-efficient, and thinner), and OLED (superior color quality and contrast). Also evaluate the screen size (in inches) and the resolution (Full HD, 2K, 4K) — the higher the resolution, the sharper the image. — DDR4/DDR5 RAM is the current standard; a clock above 5 GHz requires liquid cooling; ARM (smartphones) is a different architecture from x86 (PC); a 4K monitor has 4x more pixels than Full HD; a purchasing standard taught in magazines such as the Brazilian Tecnoblog and the international Tom's Hardware, applied in Brazilian schools, in effect.

  6. How do you protect the computer from power surges?

    Answer: Use a voltage stabilizer (corrects small variations), a surge protector (protects against spikes), a UPS (keeps it on during short outages, giving time to save your work), proper electrical grounding, and turn everything off during storms. A UPS with an internal battery is ideal — it combines a filter + stabilizer + 5-15 minutes of runtime to shut down safely. — Fluctuations burn out power supplies and HDs; APC, SMS are common UPS brands in Brazil; grounding under NBR 5410 is a mandatory standard; lightning storms are the main cause of equipment burnout in Brazil — an electrical protection standard applied in Brazilian Adventist schools, in effect worldwide today.